Shabana Mahmood hits out at Reform as Nigel Farage and co miss huge migration update - The Mirror

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood branded Reform UK's migration plans 'un-British' as she outlined a string of new measures - but none of Reform's five MPs were in the Commons chamber as she did so

Shabana Mahmood has slammed Reform UK's MPs for missing a crucial migration announcement - accusing them of making "un-British" pledges.

The Home Secretary today unveiled the biggest shake-up of settlement rules in five decades, claiming her ideas would reward those who play by the rules. But as she outlined her proposals, Nigel Farage and co were not in the chamber.

Ms Mahmood said she wants to increase the time people are in the country before they can apply for permanent settlement. But in contrast to Reform, she would not apply changes to those already granted settled status. To do so, she said, would be "the most un-British of things".

To find out more about Ms Mahmood's migration plans click here

Addressing MPs the Home Secretary said: "May I make one thing absolutely clear, though? We will not change the rules for those with settled status today.

"These are people who have been in our country for years, even decades. They have families here, wives, husbands, children. They've worked in our hospitals, taught in our schools, and have been contributing to our society for years.

"Fairness is the most fundamental of British values. We made a promise when we gave them settlement, and we do not break our promises."

In September Mr Farage announced that if he gets into No10, he would scrap indefinite leave to remain (ILR) - meaning hundreds of thousands of legal migrants could face deportation. Ms Mahmood said: "The Reform Party, I note not present today, have said they will do this most un-British of things.

"The Tories have said that they will, but then said that they won't. And I am left in as much of a muddle about their policy as they are."

Reform UK wants to abolish indefinite leave to remain (ILR), which could leave thousands of people legally settled in Britain at risk. Instead of granting ILR, Mr Farage wants to force people to renew their visas every five years.

The Home Secretary claims the new measures - which would massively extend the amount of time before migrants can apply for permanent settlement - will reward people who contribute to the economy and play by the rules. She proposes setting the standard qualifying period for permanent settlement to between 10 and 15 years - up from its current five.

However she said a range of rewards and penalties will be applied under the Government's plans. This means some - including skilled public sector workers, entrepreneurs and high earners - will be fast-tracked, while others will not be eligible for decades.

Under the plans, people who arrive on small boat or who rely on benefits face waiting between 20 and 30 years in order to apply. Critics warned the Government risks trapping people who flee war and persecution in "three decades of instability and stress".

In a plea to MPs, Ms Mahmood warned that failure to get migration under control risks empowering those who spread hatred and division. She said: "I love this country, which opened its arms to my parents around 50 years ago. But I am concerned by the division I see now, fueled by a pace and scale of change that is placing immense pressure on local communities.

"For those who believe that migration is part of modern Britain's story and should always continue to be, we must prove that it can still work."

The new rules will affect two million people who have arrived since 2021 - but will not affect those who already have settled status.