Labour civil war as Shabana Mahmood ‘issues Starmer ultimatum’ over immigration controls

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood could throw Keir Starmer’s government into fresh turmoil by resigning if the Prime Minister blocks her tough immigration reforms. Number 10 has signalled a potential u-turn over the changes, following opposition from Labour backbenchers led by Angela Rayner, the former Deputy Prime Minister.

But Ms Mahmood is determined to press ahead with measures making it harder for migrants to claim indefinite leave to remain, also known as settlement, which makes them eligible for benefits and social housing. The Home Secretary is said to have told the Prime Minister: “If I can’t do my job, I won’t do my job.”

And she threatened to resign “if there was any meddling” with her reforms, the Mail on Sunday reports. The claim has been denied by Number 10 and the Home Office.

Allies of the Home Secretary have also warned that the UK’s welfare and housing system will come under huge strain unless the changes go ahead.

A Home Office source told the Sun on Sunday: “We’ve got up to 1.6 million people on track to settle by 2030, and welfare and housing are already under serious strain, as every constituency MP knows from their inbox.

“If we don’t act now, that pressure will risk getting out of control.

“We’re making sure the system can cope, while keeping a fair route to settlement for those who contribute.”

The most controversial part of the changes is a plan to ensure many people need to be in the UK for ten years – up from five at the moment – before the become eligible for indefinite leave to remain.

This would be applied retrospectively, so that people who are already in the UK will be told they need to wait five years longer than they expected before gaining the status.

Many Labour MPs, including Ms Rayner, have described this as “moving the goalposts”.

In an incendiary speech last week, Ms Rayner condemned the changes and called them a “breach of trust”.

Ms Mahmood previously insisted the policy was essential because huge numbers of people who came to the country in 2022 and 2023 are about to become eligible for indefinite leave to remain.

But the Government is now reported to be looking at “transitional arrangements” for people already here.

It says the policy is subject to the results of a consultation – which could provide an opportunity to row back on the changes.

In a speech on March 5, Ms Mahmood said the Government will “address the challenge posed by the impending settlement of the hundreds of thousands of low-skilled workers and their dependants who arrived between 2022 and 2024.

“That means applying any rule changes to those who are in the UK today, but have not yet received settled status.

“If we do not, we will see a £10 billion drain on our public finances and further strain on public services – like housing and healthcare – already under immense pressure.

“That is an affront to the idea of fairness within our society. It is an affront to every family currently waiting for social housing. To those who have already spent too long on an NHS waiting list. And to British taxpayers, who will inevitably foot the bill.”