Politics · United Kingdom · 2 hrs ago
UK ministers seek compromise on Shabana Mahmood’s migration reforms
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood’s migration changes are facing resistance inside the UK government from Labour MPs and fellow ministers.
One proposal would extend the wait for some migrants to gain indefinite leave to remain from five years to as long as 15, and apply the change retrospectively.
Ministers have also raised concerns about asylum-system changes, including the possible effects on homelessness and rough sleeping.
The Home Office has acknowledged homelessness could rise, while Mahmood’s allies say the proposals are not final and are intended to limit hardship.
The department says ending asylum hotels will not leave people homeless and says its reforms have saved taxpayers more than £1bn since the election.
Some Labour MPs may oppose the legislation, and ministers are seeking a compromise, with exemptions for some health and care workers among the options reportedly under consideration.
Revised proposals are expected in Parliament next week, before MPs leave for a recess.
Ministers are seeking a compromise on Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood’s migration reforms amid warnings of a possible Labour rebellion and a care-sector staffing crisis.
The proposals include extending the wait for Indefinite Leave to Remain from five years to as long as 15, potentially retrospectively.
Some ministers say Mahmood has not shared enough information about the reforms’ effects on homelessness and community cohesion.
Mahmood’s allies say the proposals are not final and will be designed to limit destitution and homelessness.
Revised reforms are expected to be brought before Parliament next week, according to the Daily Mail.
- Who
- Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood and ministers seeking changes to her migration reforms.
- What
- Ministers are trying to reach a compromise on reforms that include tougher settlement rules and changes to asylum support.
- When
- The articles were published on 30 October 2026; revised reforms are expected before Parliament next week.
- Where
- The United Kingdom.
- Why
- Ministers have raised concerns about homelessness, community cohesion and a possible care-sector staff crisis, while dozens of Labour MPs may oppose the legislation.
Mahmood and Home Office
Ministers raising concerns
Impact of proposals
Mahmood and Home Office
Mahmood’s allies say the proposals are not final and their effects cannot yet be quantified.
Ministers raising concerns
Other ministers say the Home Office could provide more detail and fear the changes could increase homelessness and rough sleeping.
Reforms
Mahmood and Home Office
The Home Office says the policy followed the normal cross-government process and will be designed to limit hardship.
Ministers raising concerns
Some ministers and Labour MPs want the proposals softened, including changes to settlement waiting periods and possible exemptions for health and care workers.
Mahmood announced changes to the asylum system, including ending permanent leave to remain and the government’s duty to support people who would otherwise become destitute.
Eighty MPs wrote to the Prime Minister urging him to water down the Immigration and Asylum Bill.
The government’s consultation on the Indefinite Leave to Remain proposals closed, according to the Daily Mail.
The Guardian reported that ministers would meet over the next few days to seek a compromise.
Revised reforms are expected to be brought before Parliament, according to the Daily Mail.
- Settlement wait
- From five years to as long as 15 years, according to the Daily Mail
- Potential parliamentary opposition
- Dozens of Labour MPs
- Letter to Prime Minister
- 80 MPs wrote in July
- Potential impact
- The Home Office assessment says homelessness could rise
- Consultation
- Closed earlier in 2026, according to the Daily Mail
3 sources
What people are saying
Ending asylum hotels will not leave people homeless. We are moving people into more suitable accommodation while delivering reforms that have already saved taxpayers more than £1bn since the election.
Shabana has been asked on multiple occasions what the Home Office assessment was of the impact her changes would have on homelessness and community cohesion, but she point-blank refused to engage with it.