Labour members give verdict on tough migration crackdown – their views might surprise you

The next Labour leader should not water down Shabana Mahmood’s migrant crackdown, polling of party members has revealed. Just one in four want Andy Burnham or Wes Streeting to introduce more “liberal” immigration policies.

And 44% of Labour members want the next prime minister to “maintain current immigration policy”. Almost one in five – 18% – even want them to go further and introduce more restrictions. Home Secretary Ms Mahmood is facing a growing revolt from health groups, trade unions and Left-wing MPs over her plans to change settlement rules.

Overseas nationals face a 10-year wait to apply for indefinite leave to remain, double the current five years.

Foreign nationals who arrived in the so-called “Boris wave” face a 10 to 15-year wait to apply for indefinite leave to remain amid fears over an influx of low-skilled workers, particularly on the abused Health and Social Care Visa in the early part of this decade.

And migrants could be barred from claiming benefits unless they become British citizens.

Ms Mahmood said those relying on handouts must wait 20 to 30 years to receive indefinite leave to remain.

Arrivals applying for indefinite leave to remain after 10 years must have no criminal record, speak English to A-level standards and have no debt, under Labour’s new proposals.

But one of Labour’s leadership contenders, Angela Rayner, has described plans to make migrants wait longer as “un-British”.

And union chiefs are mounting opposition to the plans.

Ms Mahmood will also revoke European laws that automatically provide arrivals with support.

From June, the handouts will become “conditional” and only given to those “who genuinely need it and follow the law”.

Those who work in Britain’s black economy will also be thrown out of hotels, houses, flats and bedsits funded by taxpayers, alongside foreign criminals and those refusing to leave the UK voluntarily.

Officials believe it could act as a deterrent to those hoping to claim asylum in the UK and work illegally.