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Labour ministers have been working behind the scenes with rebels to water down Shabana Mahmood's measures to crack down on migration. The Home Secretary, who unveiled a series of measures to reduce net migration last year, is facing pressure on the Labour Left after pushing ahead with the plans to thwart the rise of Reform UK. Net migration fell to 204,000 in the year ending June 2025, down from a peak of 906,000 in the year ending June 2023. However, Labour MPs have grown increasingly uneasy with Ms Mahmood's push for tougher measures, including changes to indefinite leave to remain. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say The Home Secretary's changes would see most migrants have to wait 10 years to qualify for indefinite leave to remain, rather than the existing five-year period. Sir Keir Starmer is now consulting on the proposed changes amid fears the Prime Minister will face a revolt from his backbenchers. The consultation could see amendments seeking to exclude migrants working in the public sector, as well as those who are on the verge of being settled. “I personally disagree with all of the changes to indefinite leave to remain, but I think that the majority of the cohort would accept that compromise,” a Labour MP told The Guardian. Labour rebels have already coordinated a campaign against the Home Secretary's crackdown. However, Ms Mahmood's critics were left frustrated by negative briefings against Tony Vaughan after the Folkestone & Hythe MP penned a letter calling for loosening Ms Mahmood's measures. Despite Home Office sources denying being behind the attack, Attorney General Lord Hermer was reportedly incensed by the briefing. Mr Vaughan's letter, which was signed by 100 Labour MPs, argued: “You don’t win back public confidence in the asylum system by threatening to forcibly remove refugees who have lived here lawfully for 15 or 20 years.” LATEST DEVELOPMENTS Labour council slammed for 'marginalising Jewish community' after twinning with Palestinian city Keir Starmer set to U-turn on manifesto pledge to ban foie gras in bid to secure EU trade deal Labour caught planning emergency alerts to warn Britons of 'danger to life' during summer unrest Ex-Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner is also playing a leading role in the campaign to thwart Ms Mahmood's crackdown. Speaking at an event for the Mainstream campaign group, Ms Rayner said: “We cannot talk about earning a settlement if we keep moving the goalposts. “Because moving the goalposts undermines our sense of fair play. It’s un-British.” Ms Rayner is being tipped to make a push for the Labour leadership if Sir Keir suffers an electoral drubbing in the 2026 Local Elections on May 7. However, the Home Office insisted it is not changing tack in the face of pressure from the Parliamentary Labour Party. A Home Office spokesman said: “The Government’s position has not changed. "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. “Between 2021 and 2024, this country experienced levels of migration it had historically seen over four decades. "We must be honest about the scale and impact of hundreds of thousands of low-skilled migrants getting settlement. “The Government will double the route to settlement from five to 10 years. "As announced in November, we are consulting to apply this change to those in the UK today but have not received settled status. "We are currently reviewing the 200,000 responses and will outline our response in due course.” Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter
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