# Miatta Fahnbulleh U-turn on immigration plan > Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh backs Labour's immigration reforms after earlier refusal. - Title: Miatta Fahnbulleh U-turn on immigration plan · Dailymail - Summary: Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh backs Labour's immigration reforms after earlier refusal. Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh now supports Home Secretary… - Keywords: miatta fahnbulleh, shabana mahmood, immigration reforms, labour, energy secretary, home secretary, uk government, news, entertainment, Miatta, Fahnbulleh, U-turn - Source: Dailymail — https://dailymail.com/news/article-16231565/Senior-ministers-U-turn-immigration-plan.html?ito=1490&ns_campaign=1490&ns_mchannel=rss - Published: 2026-10-22T22:08:15+00:00 - Read time: 2 min - Topics: miatta fahnbulleh, shabana mahmood, immigration reforms, labour, energy secretary, home secretary, uk government, news, entertainment ## 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. ## Key takeaway Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh now supports Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood's immigration reforms after previously refusing to endorse them.