Cabinet row erupts after Energy Sec SLAMS Shabana Mahmood’s plans to make foreigners wait longer for permanent residency

Comment now Next A CABINET row over immigration reforms intensified after Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh attacked plans to make foreigners wait longer for permanent residency. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood had wanted to double the time migrants must live in the UK before being eligible for indefinite leave to remain from five to ten years — and apply it retrospectively to those already here. 4 Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh has sparked a Cabinet row by attacking Shabana Mahmood’s plan to double the wait for migrants seeking permanent UK residency Credit: Shutterstock Editorial 4 Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood had already been expected to water down her plans after a backlash from senior Labour MPs Credit: Getty Advertisement But Ms Fahnbulleh warned extending the wait was a threat to “building cohesion” and said Labour must “challenge divisive rhetoric”. She said Labour must “raise the level of debate” and “challenge divisive rhetoric” over immigration . Sign up for the Politics newsletter Thank you! Email address Please provide a valid email. Your info will be used in accordance with our Privacy Policy You'll now receive top stories, breaking news, and more, straight to your email. Ms Mahmood had already been expected to water down her plans after a backlash from senior Labour MPs. Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner had already criticised the policy as “un-British” before Ms Fahnbulleh threw her weight behind the immigration rebellion. READ MORE ON POLITICS BUDGET BLAST Healey will do more damage at his first Budget than Rachel Reeves, fears Kemi POLITICS FIX Andy Burnham vowed to help cost of living - so two issues he MUST consider 4 Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner had already criticised Ms Mahmood’s policy as ‘un-British’ Credit: Alamy 4 Tory Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp accused Labour of a Cabinet split over immigration, claiming Shabana Mahmood was ‘running scared of Angela Rayner and the Labour left’ Credit: Getty Images In a letter to her constituents in Peckham, South East London, Ms Fahnbulleh said: “If we continually prolong the time people have to wait for settlement, we can also prolong the process of building cohesion.” Allies of Ms Fahnbulleh said the statement was poorly-worded and would be changed on her constituency website. Advertisement Tory Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp last night said: “Labour’s Cabinet members are openly campaigning against their own government’s supposed immigration policy. “Miattah Fahnbulleh says she opposes a longer time for immigrants to get permanent settlement – the opposite of Shabana Mahmood’s claimed policy. Most read in The Sun 'ATTACKER REVEALED' 'Attacker who rammed MP with car is identified' as she fights for life MAKING A MARK Graffiti pranksters mocking celebs on subway walls vow to beat council 'DEEPLY MISSED' 'Loving father murdered' at caravan park is pictured as family pay tribute POLITICS FIX Mass immigration, huge welfare bill, war in Europe — but PM talks Tube noise “Shabana Mahmood has already delayed implementing her own policy, allowing two hundred thousand immigrants to stay permanently and claim benefits . “Instead of being tough as she said she would be, she is running scared of Angela Rayner and the Labour left.” Comment now