Reports suggest that Andy Burnham is considering softening plans to apply stricter immigration reforms retrospectively, according to his allies.
Under proposals linked to Shabana Mahmood, the qualifying period for most migrant workers to gain permanent residency would increase from five to ten years.
Crucially, these changes could be applied retrospectively, meaning migrants already living and working in the UK may face longer waits than originally expected when they arrived.
Mahmood has defended the policy, arguing that tougher measures are necessary in response to the “historically large numbers” of arrivals since 2021, a surge some, including Reform UK, have labelled the “Boriswave.”
However, concerns remain about fairness, particularly for those who made life plans based on the existing five-year pathway to settlement.
Any move to water down the retrospective element may reflect growing pressure to balance immigration control with consistency and trust in the system.
🚨 NEW: Andy Burnham is considering watering down Shabana Mahmood's immigration reforms
This includes ditching the retrospective reform for "Boriswave" migrants to wait 10 not 5 years for permanent residence
[@theipaper]
I was at the Black Child Clean Air Conference at the House of Commons in London yesterday.
It was inspiring to see prominent Black leaders and voices come together to discuss solutions and push forward real change for our community.
Spaces like this remind us how important it is to make sure our voices are heard in the right places.
Picture 2: MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy for Clapham and Brixton Hill @BellRibeiroAddy Picture 3: CEO Miss Ghana UK, Founder of Global Child & Maternal Health UK, and Founder of Black Children Empowerment UK
Picture 4: Lord Paul Boateng
British people are not happy, cost of living is high, migration matters, religion and other things fuelling the public.
He resigned.
Yet one man reduced the purchasing power of many Nigerians, many are living in poverty but he is seeking reelection.
No shame.