Starmer refuses to back Mahmood's immigration reforms after Rayner criticism

"Downing Street has refused to commit to flagship immigration reforms set out by his home secretary after former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner criticised the proposals in a major challenge to Sir Keir Starmer's authority. The prime minister's official spokesperson said the government is considering responses to a Home Office consultation into the proposals, repeatedly refusing to reaffirm Sir Keir's commitment to the policy."

"It comes after Ms Rayner said Shabana Mahmood's planned changes to indefinite leave to remain for people already living in the UK would be a breach of trust, branding them un-British. The immigration reforms which include a raft of hardline measures aimed at discouraging asylum seekers and making it easier to remove those who have no right to remain in the country were rolled out to much fanfare last year."

Downing Street has declined to reaffirm commitment to flagship immigration reforms proposed by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood following criticism from former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner. Rayner characterized the planned changes to indefinite leave to remain as a breach of trust and un-British. The reforms, which include hardline measures to discourage asylum seekers and facilitate removal of those without legal status, were previously presented as central to the government's agenda. The prime minister's official spokesperson stated the government is considering responses to a Home Office consultation, repeatedly avoiding reaffirmation of Sir Keir Starmer's commitment to the policy.

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