Ministers side with Labour rebels to water down Shabana Mahmood's migrant crackdown

By SAM MERRIMAN, POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT Published: 23:19, 5 April 2026 | Updated: 23:19, 5 April 2026 Ministers are working with Labour MPs behind the scenes to try to water down Shabana Mahmood’s proposed immigration reforms, it has emerged. The Home Secretary unveiled changes last year that would make it harder for migrants to permanently settle in Britain in a bid to see off the electoral threat from Reform UK. But a number of Government figures are said to be helping rebel backbenchers push for exemptions to the reforms – including to the central retrospective element. Previously, most migrants were able to apply for ‘indefinite leave to remain’ (ILR) after five years, which allows them to live, work and claim benefits in the UK permanently. The Home Secretary last year announced reforms that will see this doubled to ten years and be applied retrospectively to the huge wave of people who arrived since 2021. Sir Keir Starmer is now consulting on the plans and some ministers are working covertly with rebel MPs to ensure the measures do not apply to people who have already entered the UK, according to The Guardian.  Several Labour MPs spoke to the newspaper anonymously, with one suggesting that stopping the changes applying retrospectively could quell backbench anger. Another said they felt MPs were being treated with a degree of ‘contempt’ as they were not being given a chance to vote on the plans, while a third said some rebels had been rung up and ‘shouted at’ after signing a letter condemning the proposals. Migrants board a dinghy as they prepare to sail into the English Channel (file photo) on April 01, 2026 Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood (pictured) unveiled changes last year that would make it harder for migrants to permanently settle in Britain - but her proposals are reportedly being undermined by Labour ministers who have sided with party rebels in opposing the reforms Angela Rayner is among those who have publicly criticised the immigration reforms, describing it last month as ‘un-British’.  Labour critics of the plan are said to be preparing to force a symbolic vote on the measures in the coming months. However, any attempt to water down the immigration reforms is likely to elicit a furious response from Ms Mahmood and the Right of the Labour Party, who see the reforms as essential to see off the threat from Reform UK. A Home Office spokesman said: ‘We will always welcome those that come to this country and contribute to our national life. But the privilege of living here forever should be earned, not automatic.’ No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.