Executive director of external affairs at the Refugee Council called the proposals ‘unfair and unworkable’ Downing Street has declined to say how much it cost for the plane carrying Andy Burnham and UK delegates to a Commonwealth leaders’ summit to stop in Manchester to pick him up (see 10.28am ), the Press Association reports. At the morning lobby briefing, asked if this was an appropriate use of public money, the PM’s spokesperson said: The prime minister’s travel arrangements are made on the basis of security, operational requirements, and value for money for the taxpayer. The prime minister’s travel arrangements reflect where he was carrying out official government business at the end of last week. Continue reading...
Charities condemn proposal to make some refugees wait up to 30 years for settlement – as it happened
Source: The Guardian
Original reporting
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The Guardian
How will UK immigration rules change under Shabana Mahmood’s latest plans?
Home secretary has softened on some proposals but still hardening rules for those wishing to settle permanently Shabana Mahmood has watered down some of last year’s immigration plans after a backlash from enraged backbench Labour MPs and some of her cabinet colleagues. But the package of proposals, outlined on Thursday , is still a radical hardening of the rules for those wishing to settle permanently in the UK. They will make people on lower incomes wait longer before achieving indefinite leave to remain in the UK, while people on higher salaries will find it easier. Continue reading...
The Guardian
Half-witted at best, a people-pleaser at worst: step forward, Chris Philp | John Crace
Responding to Shabana Mahmood’s changes to indefinite leave to remain, the shadow home secretary was detached from reality Better late than never. It had seemed as if some apologies from the prime minister were more sincere than others. The one that he has planned to deliver for Britain’s role in the slave trade at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Antigua fell on the right side of genuine. There had been no need to make one at that time. Indeed Kemi Badenoch saw it as a sign of weakness. There again, she would refuse to apologise for running someone over on a pedestrian crossing. Somehow it would have turned out to be the victim’s fault. Andy Burnham’s apology for not being able to turn up in the Commons to lend support to his home secretary might rather fall into the “sorry, not sorry” category. Making life more difficult for migrants was more one for Keir Starmer’s legac
NPR Politics2 outlets
Judge accuses DOJ of 'weaponization,' tosses case against ex-FBI officials
The judge said he was "deeply troubled" by the mistakes and rushed nature of the case over the FBI's Hunter Biden probes — one of several politically charged DOJ actions ahead of the midterms.
The Guardian
The Guardian view on a migration U-turn: it still leaves unfair changes intact | Editorial
Britain needs migrant workers, yet ministers would make many wait longer for secure settlement because their essential work commands low wages Shabana Mahmood has made a partial retreat on her policy to lengthen the wait for some foreign workers who were soon to be eligible for settlement in the UK. But while the home secretary lost the argument in cabinet on a particularly damaging aspect of her proposals, she has won the larger battle that settlement ought to be based not just on residency but also on how much tax has been paid, English language proficiency and the “character” of applicants. Significantly, she has also won the “full support” of the prime minister for this approach. The home secretary plans to double the standard qualifying period for settlement from five to 10 years for most workers. Importantly, she dropped the proposed 15-year qualifying period for some workers in oc
BBC Politics
What are the planned changes to immigration rules?
The home secretary sets out plans to change requirements for permanent settlement in the UK.
BBC Politics
MP Carla Lockhart quits DUP in Drumcree row
Lockhart had called for the DUP to remove First Minister Michelle O'Neill from office.