Miatta Fahnbulleh, the energy secretary, has publicly backed Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood's proposed immigration reforms after facing scrutiny for her earlier comments. Initially hesitant to endorse the government's plans to extend the residency period for migrants, Fahnbulleh later clarified that her previous remarks were intended as humor and reaffirmed her support for the reforms.
The government's proposal aims to double the time required for most migrant workers to achieve permanent residency from five to ten years, with refugees facing a potential twenty-year wait. This has sparked debate among Labour MPs and trade unions, who are urging a reconsideration of the policy.
Watch for potential shifts in Labour's stance as MPs and trade unions push back against the proposed residency changes. The government's ongoing consultation may lead to adjustments in the reforms, impacting migrant workers and refugees significantly.