Key facts
- Prime Minister Andy Burnham supports the principle that settlement is a right to be earned through contribution.
- The government is consulting on reforms to the immigration system.
- Proposals include extending the time for indefinite leave to remain from five to up to 15 years for some migrants.
- Cabinet ministers have expressed reservations about the proposed reforms.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham stated on Monday that he stood by the principles of immigration reform proposed by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, amid speculation that the plans could be watered down due to internal party opposition. Burnham told ITV's Good Morning Britain that settlement should be a right to be earned through contribution, not automatically granted. The Home Secretary is expected to announce final conclusions on the reforms soon. The proposals, which could extend the time some migrants must wait for indefinite leave to remain from five to up to 15 years, have faced criticism from some senior Labour figures and MPs. Housing Secretary Angela Rayner had previously voiced concerns about retrospective application of the changes, while Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh initially expressed reservations but later reaffirmed her support for the government's migration policy.