As many as 1.6 million migrants face a longer wait to qualify for Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) benefits under new policies championed by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood. Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who leads the new Labour government, reappointed Ms Mahmood, the Birmingham MP, to her post amid a reshuffle, signaling the government's commitment to tightening welfare access for migrants.
Proposed Changes to Indefinite Leave to Remain
Under the reforms, which were first reported by the Times in June, migrants who gain indefinite leave to remain (ILR) would have to wait an additional three to four years before accessing DWP benefits such as housing support, universal credit, disability payments, council tax reduction, tax credits, and state pension credits. Currently, ILR holders are entitled to these benefits immediately upon obtaining permanent residence.
The changes are intended to address public concerns about migrants accessing benefits soon after gaining ILR. A source told the Times: "What it boils down to is benefits. You would allow them to get ILR after five years but you don’t allow them to claim benefits until three or four years later." The source added that while "most people don’t come here so they can claim benefits," the perception that migrants can access welfare "as soon as they get ILR" was "politically damaging."
Political Reactions and Compromise
The proposal has sparked backlash from some Labour MPs, leading Ms Mahmood to offer a compromise that exempts 1.6 million migrants from the strictest parameters. However, with Burnham's support, the reforms are now expected to go ahead, potentially doubling the time required to qualify for ILR-related benefits.
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp criticized the potential dilution of the plans, telling Times Radio: "It’ll be an early test of Andy Burnham and Shabana Mahmood as to whether they’ve got the strength to stand by their own proposals, which they made a few months ago. And by the way, if they table those proposals unamended, undiluted, you know, we would support them. But it looks like Andy Burnham is planning to capitulate, to give in to those left-wing Labour MPs and dilute the plans so that people can get the permanent right to stay after just five years, which of course carries things like rights to benefits as well."
The developments come as the government seeks to balance immigration policy with welfare reform, a issue likely to remain contentious in the coming months.
