Dispatches

Mahmood to Unveil Tougher Settlement Rules for Some Migrants

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is preparing to set out revised rules on when migrants can settle in the UK, according to The Guardian and BBC News.

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The Guardian reported that Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is preparing to unveil tougher settlement rules that would make some migrants wait 10 years or more for the right to settle in the UK. The newspaper's live politics coverage, written by Andrew Sparrow, carried the headline that Andy Burnham declined to say net migration was still too high.

The Guardian also noted, in general terms, that when the government makes a major announcement, Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle often "erupts with fury" at the Treasury bench because the main points have already been leaked before the relevant minister gives details to MPs. The summary available does not say whether the speaker's complaint concerned these proposals.

BBC News reported that Mahmood will set out changes to settlement rules for legal migrants. In its report, the BBC said she will lay out a "revised proposal" for changing when migrants can claim permanent residency.

The two outlets describe the change in different terms. The Guardian said some migrants would have to wait 10 years or more, while the BBC summary described a revised proposal on when migrants can claim permanent residency and did not give a waiting period. Neither summary says how many people would be affected, what the revised proposal contains in full, or when it would take effect.

Both reports therefore agree that the government is moving to change when migrants can settle or gain permanent residency in the UK. The full details are not contained in the summaries available.

Sources: The Guardian: Burnham declines to say net migration still too high as Mahmood prepares to unveil tougher settlement rules - UK politics live; BBC News: Mahmood to set out changes to settlement rules for legal migrants.

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