Shabana Mahmood

Shabana Mahmood

Labour — Birmingham Ladywood

Speaking in the House of Commons on 2 November 2026

Debate

Immigration: Earned Settlement

Contribution

Many rights do accrue at the point of settlement, and that has been the policy under successive Governments over many decades. I do not wish to create a new system with a two-tier approach to what settlement means—one for historical cohorts and a new one for future cohorts—not least because some in this country, including some on the Opposition Benches, wish to rip up the status of indefinite leave to remain altogether. That would be the wrong thing to do. It would be unconscionable to throw into chaos the long-term residency arrangements of millions of people in this country, and this Government will not do that. On contribution and integration, the tests that need to be met are made clear in the consultation document. They are not subjective criteria, but detailed criteria that will be applied by caseworkers in the future.

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