ANDY Burnham could water down Labour’s flagship plan that would make migrants wait ten years for permanent settlement.
The PM said he wanted to bring “a new pair of eyes” to the row over Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood’s proposals and promised a “fair resolution”.
Shabana Mahmood’s plan for migrants to wait ten years for permanent settlement could be watered down by the PM Credit: AFP
Burnham said he wanted to bring ‘a new pair of eyes’ to the row over the Home Secretary’s proposals and promised a ‘fair resolution’ Credit: Getty
Mr Burnham inherited the policy from Keir Starmer’s government but stopped short of endorsing it when challenged on migration.
He told the BBC: “We’ll come to a fair resolution. I think the worry people have is the feeling it’s out of control and we don’t have a grip as a country and therefore we don’t have the right procedures in place.”
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Asked again if he might rethink the proposals, Mr Burnham said he would look at the consultation and hinted NHS staff and care workers could be spared the tougher rules.
He said: “I see people contributing to our society by working in social care, who’ve in many cases come from around the world to work there or the NHS.
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“I don’t think people actually say that is something that we don’t want.
“We want people when they’re here and making a contribution to be able to be, if you like, supported and welcomed here.”
The change would require most migrants to wait ten years rather than five years before applying for indefinite leave to remain.
Applicants would also have to meet stricter requirements including speaking English to A-level standard, having no criminal record and no debts.
Ms Mahmood’s allies insist changes are needed to stop the welfare bill ballooning as 1.6 million migrants who arrived from 2021 to 2025 become eligible to settle.
Reform UK claims it could add £622billion.
But Labour MPs say it is unfair to change the rules for migrants already here.
The Government is due to make its final decision on settlement reforms after considering responses to the consultation.
