Key facts
- Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh declined to explicitly back Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood's immigration policy.
- The policy proposes extending the wait for permanent residency from five to 15 years.
- Fahnbulleh stated immigration reforms should be based on compassion and contribution.
- Fahnbulleh previously suggested prolonged waits hinder cohesion.
- Dozens of Labour MPs oppose the proposed changes.
A cabinet division has emerged over Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood's immigration policy, which proposes extending the time foreign workers must wait to claim permanent residency in the UK from five to 15 years. Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh, in an interview with Sky News, avoided explicitly endorsing the plan, stating instead that reforms should be rooted in "compassion" and "contribution."
Fahnbulleh's comments follow a now-removed post on her constituency website where she appeared to criticize the policy, suggesting that prolonged waits for settlement could impede community cohesion. This apparent criticism echoes earlier public opposition from Housing Secretary Angela Rayner and dozens of other Labour MPs.