Prime Minister Andy Burnham is facing accusations of trying to conceal significant divisions within his government over immigration policy, with critics claiming he has sided with left-wing rebel Labour MPs against his own Home Secretary.
In his latest comments on the matter, Mr Burnham said he strongly supports the idea that indefinite leave to remain - a status granting migrants rights nearly equivalent to full British citizenship, including the right to claim benefits - is a "right to be earned". However, he stopped short of backing all the changes proposed by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood.
Proposed Changes and Opposition
Under the planned reforms, the standard qualifying period for permanent residence, also known as indefinite leave to remain or settlement, would be doubled from five to ten years, and the change would be retrospective. This means people who have lived legally in the UK for years, potentially working and paying taxes, would have to wait five years longer than expected to gain permanent residency rights.
Some individuals would face waits of up to 15 years, while others could have the process accelerated if they can demonstrate contributions to British society. However, earlier this year, around 100 Labour MPs - a quarter of the Parliamentary Labour Party - sent a letter demanding the Home Secretary scrap her plans.
Cabinet Divisions Exposed
Housing Secretary Angela Rayner has publicly attacked the scheme, while Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh criticised any attempt to "prolong the time people have to wait for settlement" in a later-deleted online post.
The Government's current position is that Ms Mahmood was merely suggesting changes to start a consultation, insisting there is no split because there is no firm policy - just a debate. However, the Home Secretary previously made clear she thought the changes were essential, warning that without them, more than 1.6 million migrants would become eligible for settlement, allowing them to claim benefits and use public services similarly to British citizens.
Prime Minister's Ambiguous Stance
It has now emerged that Ms Mahmood is in talks with the Prime Minister about watering down the reforms, not because she wants to, but because no Cabinet Minister could proceed with such a controversial policy without clear backing from colleagues and, most importantly, the PM.
Asked if he would commit to the plans, Mr Burnham said: "We're in a position where we've been consulting on those reforms, and we will come forward with our decisions soon. But I strongly support the Home Secretary when she says that settlement is a right to be earned through contribution, and that will be the principle that guides our reforms."
In effect, the Prime Minister failed to give a clear answer, and without a firm statement from him, it is difficult to see how the policy can survive. In the battle between his Home Secretary and left-wing rebel Labour MPs, Mr Burnham has chosen to side with the rebels.
