Cabinet divides as minister stops short of backing 15-year residency plan

Energy secretary refuses to endorse Shabana Mahmood's immigration proposal amid growing Labour rebellion

By LineZotpaper

Published21 October 2026

Updated21 October 2026

Read Time2 min

The Labour government's internal split over immigration policy deepened on Wednesday when Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh refused to explicitly endorse Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood's proposal to extend the waiting period for foreign workers to claim permanent residency from five to 15 years.

Cabinet tensions over immigration flared again this week as Miatta Fahnbulleh, the energy secretary, repeatedly declined to confirm her support for Shabana Mahmood's plan to make foreign workers wait 15 years for permanent residency in the UK. In a Sky News interview, Fahnbulleh called for an immigration system based on compassion and contribution but avoided answering directly when asked about the 15-year wait.

Fahnbulleh said, "I 100% back Shabana Mahmood and everything she is trying to do," but stopped short of backing the specific proposal. Days earlier, a post on her constituency website -- later removed -- appeared to criticise the plans, quoting her as saying prolonged settlement waits may also slow integration.

The plan, which would be backdated to 2021, has drawn criticism from within Labour. Housing Secretary Angela Rayner publicly opposed it earlier this year, and dozens of Labour MPs are against the changes. Mahmood has hinted the proposal could be watered down to avoid a rebellion.

Former Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham has proposed exempting care workers from the extended wait. The Home Office argues that could prompt an exodus of foreign workers from the sector once their visa terms expire.

A government spokesperson defended the reforms, saying settlement "must be earned and not automatic," and noted that the government is still considering consultation responses.

Analysis

Why This Matters

The 15-year proposal risks a significant Labour rebellion, testing party unity and the government's majority.
The outcome will directly affect hundreds of thousands of foreign workers already in the UK, particularly those in social care.
The dispute reflects a deeper divide within Labour over how to balance controlled immigration with compassion and economic need.

Background

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is proposing to extend from five to 15 years the period foreign workers must wait before they can claim permanent residency in the UK. The change would be backdated to 2021, meaning some workers who have already been in the country would face a much longer path to settlement. The government is currently consulting on the reforms, which Mahmood has signalled could be softened to avoid a parliamentary rebellion. Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh earlier appeared to criticise the plans in a since-removed constituency post.

Key Perspectives

Shabana Mahmood/Home Office: Seeks stricter immigration controls, arguing settlement should be earned, not automatic. Miatta Fahnbulleh: Called for a system based on compassion and contribution, but would not commit to the 15-year wait; said she backs Mahmood "100%". Angela Rayner and Labour rebels: Oppose the changes, viewing them as unfair and harmful to integration. Andy Burnham: Proposed exempting care workers, a plan the Home Office says could drive foreign workers from the sector.

What to Watch

The outcome of the government's consultation, expected to shape the final policy.
Whether Mahmood waters down the plan to head off a Labour rebellion.
Any movement on exempting care workers from the extended wait.

Sources

Cabinet split widens as minister refuses to back Shabana Mahmood’s immigration plans · World news | The Guardian

Checked

12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 7 supported.

Show each claim

SupportedThe cabinet split widened after Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh refused to say she backed Shabana Mahmood’s immigration plans.World news | The Guardian: “A cabinet split over Shabana Mahmood’s immigration policy has deepened after the energy secretary refused to say she backed plans”
Partly supportedLabour’s rebellion against the proposal is growing.World news | The Guardian: “dozens of Labour MPs oppose the changes”
Partly supportedThe split deepened on Wednesday when Fahnbulleh refused to endorse the plan.World news | The Guardian: “A cabinet split over Shabana Mahmood’s immigration policy has deepened after the energy secretary refused to say she backed plans”
SupportedMahmood’s plan would extend the wait for foreign workers to claim permanent residency from five to 15 years.World news | The Guardian: “plans to make foreign workers wait 15 years to claim permanent residency in the UK”
SupportedFahnbulleh said, “I 100% back Shabana Mahmood and everything she is trying to do.”World news | The Guardian: ““I 100% back Shabana Mahmood and everything she is trying to do.””
SupportedFahnbulleh avoided answering directly whether she backed the specific 15-year wait.World news | The Guardian: “But she avoided multiple questions on the prospect of a 15-year wait.”
Partly supportedA since-removed post on Fahnbulleh’s constituency website appeared to criticise the plans, saying longer settlement waits may slow integration.World news | The Guardian: “In the original account she was quoted as saying: “If we continually prolong the time people have to wait for settlement, we can also prolong the process of building cohesion.””
SupportedThe changes would be backdated to 2021.World news | The Guardian: “the changes, which would be backdated to 2021”
Partly supportedAngela Rayner publicly opposed the plans earlier this year.World news | The Guardian: “Earlier this year the housing secretary, Angela Rayner, publicly criticised the plans”
SupportedDozens of Labour MPs oppose the changes.World news | The Guardian: “dozens of Labour MPs oppose the changes”
SupportedMahmood has hinted that the proposal could be watered down to avoid a Labour rebellion.World news | The Guardian: “Mahmood has hinted that her plan to make it harder to claim permanent residence could be watered down to avoid a Labour rebellion”
Partly supportedAndy Burnham has proposed exempting care workers from the extended wait.World news | The Guardian: “Andy Burnham is considering exempting care work from the extension”

Correction

21 October 2026An earlier version of this story presented a paraphrase of Fahnbulleh's comments about compassion and contribution as a direct quote. It also incorrectly quoted her as saying “supports” rather than “back”. She said: “I 100% back Shabana Mahmood and everything she is trying to do.”