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Miatta Fahnbulleh U-turn on immigration plan
Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh backs Labour's immigration reforms after earlier refusal.
In brief
Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh backs Labour's immigration reforms after earlier refusal. Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh now supports Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood's immigration reforms after previously refusing to endorse them. Originally reported by Dailymail.
Miatta Fahnbulleh backs immigration plan
Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh has publicly supported the Government's immigration reforms after previously refusing to endorse them.
“I fully support our Home Secretary and the Government's position on migration reform. As I said earlier this week, it's absolutely right that people should have to make a contribution to this country in order to earn citizenship.”
Fahnbulleh's earlier refusal
Miatta Fahnbulleh repeatedly refused to confirm support for Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood's immigration proposals this week.
“Don't put words in my mouth.”
Mahmood's immigration plan
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood proposed extending the wait for Indefinite Leave to Remain from five to up to 15 years for foreign nationals.
“We have got to reform our immigration system.”
Labour MP opposition
Labour MPs criticized the immigration reforms as they could delay permanent residency for foreign nationals by up to 10 years.
“The policy threatens the process of building cohesion.”
Fahnbulleh's apology
Miatta Fahnbulleh apologized for saying she would 'never lie' in an interview where she refused to support the immigration reforms.
“I fully support our Home Secretary and the Government's position on migration reform.”
Fahnbulleh's stance
Miatta Fahnbulleh supports immigration reforms that require people to contribute to the country before earning citizenship.
“We need a system that is based on the principle of compassion and contribution.”
Angela Rayner's comment
Labour's Angela Rayner downplayed reports of Cabinet disagreement over the immigration reforms.
“I am sure my colleague would land on a policy that was fair to both taxpayers and migrants.”
Downing Street response
Downing Street stated that Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is carefully considering over 200,000 responses to a consultation before finalizing reforms.
“We've consulted on what the transition arrangement should look like (for) people already in the UK who have not received settled status.”
Fahnbulleh's support
Miatta Fahnbulleh confirmed she supports the Home Secretary's immigration reforms and the work being done on the consultation.
“I 100 per cent back Shabana Mahmood and everything she is trying to do.”
Consultation details
The Home Secretary is consulting on immigration reforms to address concerns about the current system and ensure it is fair to both migrants and taxpayers.
“The key thing I would say is that no one can look at our immigration system and not believe it is broken and not believe that we need to fundamentally reform it.”
Fahnbulleh's background
Miatta Fahnbulleh came to the UK as a refugee and has experience with the immigration system.
“I say this as someone that came to this country as a refugee.”
Policy impact
The immigration reforms aim to extend the wait for Indefinite Leave to Remain for foreign nationals from five to up to 15 years.
“We have got to reform our immigration system.”
Fahnbulleh's commitment
Miatta Fahnbulleh stated she supports the need for wider immigration system reform but will not commit to specific policy details.
“We have got to reform our immigration system.”
Policy debate
The immigration reforms have sparked debate among Labour MPs about the impact on foreign nationals and the need for system reform.
“The policy threatens the process of building cohesion.”
Next steps
The Home Secretary will finalize the immigration reforms after considering over 200,000 responses to the consultation.
“The Home Secretary is leading a thorough piece of work to ensure we get this right and have the right arrangements in place.”
What it means
Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh now supports Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood's immigration reforms after previously refusing to endorse them.
