# Labour's migration dithering costs 200,000 more Britons right to remain

> Labour's migration policy delays cost 200,000 people permanent residency rights.
- Title: Labour's migration dithering costs 200,000 more Britons right…
- Summary: Labour's migration policy delays cost 200,000 people permanent residency rights. Official figures show at least 200,000 people gained indefinite leave to…
- Keywords: labour, migration, indefinite leave to remain, shabana mahmood, angela rayner, home secretary, policy, crackdown, united kingdom, news, entertainment, Labour's
- Source: Dailymail — https://dailymail.com/news/article-16219253/true-cost-Labour-migration-dithering-200-000-given-right-remain-crackdown-promise-official-figures-show.html?ito=1490&ns_campaign=1490&ns_mchannel=rss
- Published: 2026-10-18T22:59:46+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: labour, migration, indefinite leave to remain, shabana mahmood, angela rayner, home secretary, uk, policy, crackdown, united kingdom, news, entertainment
## Labour's migration dithering
Thousands of migrants settle permanently in Britain while Labour bickers over migration crackdown.
## 200,000 granted indefinite leave
More than 200,000 people have been granted indefinite leave to remain since ministers proposed tough restrictions last year.
## Policy still up in air
The plan is still up in the air following backlash led by Angela Rayner and trade unions.
## Home Secretary hints at climbdown
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood recently signaled she may have to water down the policy.
## Weekly settlement rate
Every week at least 5,000 more people who lived in the UK for five years gain settlement.
## Pandemic surge impact
Those who arrived in an unprecedented immigration surge following the pandemic gain the right to claim indefinite leave to remain.
## Shadow Home Secretary's claim
Chris Philp said hundreds of low-wage or no-wage immigrants get permanent residency daily.
## Shabana Mahmood's cost
Shabana Mahmood admitted the 'lifetime cost to the taxpayer' would be £10billion.
## Labour's internal conflict
Reform UK accused Labour of 'capitulating to open-borders zealots' due to internal bickering.
## Historical context
Last May, Yvette Cooper proposed 'earned settlement' to double qualifying period to ten years.
## 2026-2030 impact
Ms Mahmood warned 1.6million people would be entitled to settle between 2026 and 2030.
## Unison union stance
Unison wants care workers exempted from proposed rules, claiming Shabana Mahmood's proposals fuel far-right.
## Recent Home Office move
Latest official figures show 199,628 people granted settlement in 12 months to June.
## MigrationWatch UK estimate
MigrationWatch UK estimates 225,000 qualified for indefinite leave to remain in past 11 months.
## Consultation closure
The consultation on the proposal closed in February but Home Office has not responded.
## Policy consequences
Immigration rules updated last week with no mention of indefinite leave to remain.
## Key takeaway

Official figures show at least 200,000 people gained indefinite leave to remain since Labour's migration crackdown promise.