Burnham stops short of committing to Mahmood immigration reforms
Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 23 Oct, 15:58 · Archive
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has not committed to fully implementing Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood's immigration reforms following cabinet opposition.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has stopped short of committing to fully implementing Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood's immigration reforms. When asked whether he would stick to the plans, Burnham said the government would "come forward with our decisions soon" following a consultation, whilst emphasising that "settlement is a right to be earned through contribution".
The reforms, unveiled in November 2025, would introduce stricter requirements for gaining indefinite leave to remain and extend qualifying periods depending on circumstances. Crucially, they propose increasing the five-year wait for claiming indefinite leave to remain to up to 10 or 15 years for foreign workers, including care workers. The Daily Mail reports the PM is considering watering down the rules around the length of time foreign workers must wait to gain permanent residence.
Senior Labour figures have expressed reservations. The energy secretary this week repeatedly refused to offer explicit support for the reforms. Housing secretary Angela Rayner has publicly attacked the prospect of backdating the plans. Dozens of backbench Labour MPs have indicated they could vote against the legislation, prompting concerns about a party rebellion.
How it is being reported
- Andy Burnham hints at Shabana Mahmood migration U-turn as Cabinet revolt rocks LabourAndy Burnham has refused to rule out back-pedalling on Shabana Mahmood's migration reforms amid a Cabinet revolt over the Home Secretary's proposals. The Prime Minister, who said he strongly supports the principle that indefinite leave to remain is a “right to be earned”, stopped short of committing to the implementation of all of Ms Mahmood's reforms. Mr Burnham is under pressure to wholeheartedly back his Home Secretary amid a Cabinet revolt which threatens to engulf the wider Labour Party. Speaking during a visit to Liverpool today, the Prime Minister said: “We’re in a position where…GB News · 23 Oct, 16:26
- Andy Burnham looks set to dilute big immigration crackdown in bid to avert Labour civil war after refusing to fully commit to Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood's immigration crackdownThe Prime Minister refused today to fully commit to Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood's reforms and is poised to 'tinker' with them.Daily Mail · 23 Oct, 15:42
- Burnham fails to commit to bringing in Mahmood’s immigration reforms in full after cabinet backlashThe prime minister said that the government would ‘come forward with our decisions soon’ following a consultationThe Independent · 23 Oct, 14:25
In this story: Andy Burnham · Shabana Mahmood · Angela Rayner · Labour Party · United Kingdom
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