Labour minister squirms in car crash Sky News interview as she dodges migrant question

Labour minister squirms in car crash Sky News interview as she dodges migrant question Miatta Fahnbulleh refuses to back Home Secretary's plans in a major Cabinet split Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Add us as preferred source Comments By Katie Harris , Senior Political Correspondent 13:52, Wed, Oct 21, 2026 Updated: 14:02, Wed, Oct 21, 2026 Cabinet minister refuses to back Shabana Mahmood's immigration reforms Cabinet minister Miatta Fahnbulleh has repeatedly refused to back Shabana Mahmood 's migrant crackdown. The Energy Secretary said reform of the immigration system was needed, and that it should be “based on the principle of compassion” and recognising contribution. But she declined to express support for the Home Secretary's plans to extend the time before foreign workers can claim permanent residence in the UK to 15 years. There is speculation that Andy Burnham could be forced to water down proposals to increase the five-year wait for claiming indefinite leave to remain by up to 10 years for foreign care workers to avoid a Labour rebellion. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT PMQs LIVE: Andy Burnham brutally skewered by Kemi Badenoch within minutes Tensions erupted over the policy when Housing Secretary Angela Rayner earlier this year publicly attacked the prospect of backdating the plans. And news emerged this week that Ms Fahnbulleh hit out at any attempt to “prolong the time people have to wait for settlement” in a later-deleted online post. Challenged over her stance, the Energy Secretary declined to say she was behind the plan to increase to 15 years the time foreign workers would have to live in Britain before they could be granted settled status. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT Asked repeatedly about that specific part of the policy, Ms Fahnbulleh told Sky News: “We have got to reform our immigration system, and my view is that we need a system that is based on the principle of compassion, contribution. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT “And so there is a package of reforms. The Home Secretary has been consulting on this. She’s looking at the range of responses, and she will come out with the measures that we take forward. “No one can look at our immigration system – and I say this as someone that came to this country as a refugee – and not believe that it’s broken and not believe that we need to fundamentally reform it. “But our principles has to be a system where we’ve got control, but ultimately a system that when people do come to this country, they are able to integrate, they are able to contribute, and that we both respect but also value that contribution.” Get the latest politics news - straight from our team in Westminster and more I would like to receive emails from the Daily Express featuring our latest products, services, offers, and promotions from across the Reach Plc family . Subscribe Invalid email You agree you are 18 or over. We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. You can unsubscribe at any time. More Info . She also said: “I support reforms that say that people have to contribute and make a contribution to this country in order to get citizenship”, and: “I 100% back Shabana Mahmood and everything she is trying to do,” but evaded multiple questions on the prospect of a 15-year wait. When it was put to her that she did not back that specific proposal, Ms Fahnbulleh said: “Don’t … put words in my mouth.” A government source pointed out that “the minister clearly supported the policy and process” in her interviews, “but while subject to review of the consultation, the final policy is not set – so ministers cannot offer opinions on specific parts of it”. Ms Rayner on Tuesday sought to downplay reports of a Cabinet rift over Ms Mahmood’s immigration plans, saying she was sure her colleague would “land” on a policy that was fair to both taxpayers and migrants following a consultation. A government spokesperson said: “This Government has announced reforms that mean settlement must be earned and not automatic. We are currently considering responses to our consultation on elements of these reforms.” Immigration Labour Party Shabana Mahmood Miatta Fahnbulleh Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Add us as preferred source Comments