Energy Minister Miatta Fahnbulleh has affirmed her support for Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood's proposed immigration reforms after initially avoiding a direct answer in a televised interview. The government plans to extend the period before most migrant workers can apply for permanent UK residency from five to ten years, with refugees potentially waiting up to twenty years. Fahnbulleh described her earlier reluctance to comment as a "light-hearted" remark and emphasised the need for an immigration system based on compassion and contribution.
The reforms have sparked debate within the Labour Party, with some MPs and trade unions urging a softening of the proposals. Meanwhile, Cabinet minister Angela Rayner has voiced concerns about changing residency rules for migrants who arrived under previous regulations but denied any internal government division. Downing Street has stated that Mahmood is reviewing consultation feedback before finalising the policy, highlighting the ongoing discussions around balancing fairness for migrants and British citizens.
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Source: BBC UK News. Aggregated summary, not independent reporting.