Mahmood signals rethink on migrants' right to remain

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has signalled she is willing to rethink plans to make it harder for foreign workers to claim permanent residence in the UK.

The home secretary has been under pressure to water down the proposals from a significant number of Labour MPs, including Housing Secretary Angela Rayner, and trade unions.

In a speech to Labour's annual conference, Mahmood acknowledged "some have said elements of these reforms are not fair".

And she said the government would "come to a position that balances fairness for those who came here legally and fairness to British citizens across this country".

Permanent residence, or indefinite leave to remain, gives a person the right to live, work and study in the UK for as long as they like and apply for benefits if they are eligible.

Mahmood suggested doubling the time it takes for most migrants to qualify for the right from five to 10 years. Some of those who came to the UK on health and social care visas could wait up to 15 years, under the proposals.

Earlier this year, when Rayner was a backbench MP, she accused the government of "moving the goalposts", branding Mahmood's plans "un-British" - and then stuck with her criticisms when she re-joined the cabinet.

Andrea Egan, general secretary of Unison, said the proposed changes would unfairly penalise overseas care workers.