Fahnbulleh avoids endorsing longer settlement waits amid Labour divisions

Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh repeatedly declined to say whether she supports a proposal to make some migrants wait longer for permanent residency, despite saying she backs broader immigration reform and Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood. Her hesitation highlights tensions within Labour over the proposal, which has drawn criticism from senior MPs and could be revised after consultation.

The plan could extend the current five-year wait by up to ten years for foreign care workers, potentially creating a 15-year wait. Fahnbulleh had previously criticised prolonging the wait for settlement while a backbencher; she and Angela Rayner have since said they expect a fair policy to emerge. The Government says settlement should be earned and that it is considering consultation responses.