Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has signalled she may revise proposed changes that would lengthen the qualifying period for indefinite leave to remain. Her conference remarks followed pressure from Labour MPs, including Angela Rayner, and trade unions concerned about fairness for key workers. Draft proposals would raise the standard ILR qualifying period from five to 10 years, with 15-year and 20-year waits suggested for some visa and benefits cases. The Home Office says no final decision has been taken and consultations are ongoing.
Mahmood Signals Rethink On Indefinite Leave To Remain Plans After Labour Backlash
[EPA]
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has indicated she may revise proposals that would significantly lengthen the time some foreign workers must wait to qualify for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) in the UK.
Proposals Under Review
Mahmood told delegates at Labour's annual conference that "some have said elements of these reforms are not fair" and that ministers must strike a balance "between fairness for those who came here legally and fairness to British citizens across this country." She proposed extending the standard qualifying period for ILR from five to 10 years, with longer potential waits for certain groups: 15 years for people who arrived on health and social care visas and up to 20 years for those who have relied on benefits for more than 12 months.
Political And Union Reaction
The plans have drawn criticism from a broad range of voices inside and outside Labour. Housing Secretary Angela Rayner — who earlier as a backbencher called the measures "un-British" — and other Labour MPs pressed Mahmood to water down the proposals. Unison general secretary Andrea Egan warned the changes could unfairly penalise overseas care workers.
"As we restore control and fairness to our asylum system, we must do the same for legal migration too," Mahmood said. "Settled status should be earned by those who have shown a consistent commitment to this country."
Official Position And Next Steps
Home Office sources stressed no final decision has been taken. Mahmood framed her speech as setting out the guiding principles for any future changes while consultations continue. Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the reforms need to "strike the right balance" and emphasised the consultation process, saying he was "both" behind the calls for balance from different ministers.
A Conservative spokesperson accused Mahmood of "caving in" to pressure from Labour MPs and warned that weakening the proposals would be a burden on taxpayers.
Mahmood also indicated plans to reopen a refugee resettlement scheme, and the conference discussion covered related visa-rule proposals and the suspension of refugee family reunion applications.
Source: BBC
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