Shabana Mahmood statement live: Major immigration rule changes to be announced

Shabana Mahmood statement live: Major immigration rule changes to be announced Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is set to announce major changes to indefinite leave to remain (ILR) rules - but could relax proposed restrictions on care workers Sweeping changes to immigration rules to make it harder for people to settle in the UK will be unveiled today. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood will update MPs on long-awaited reforms on indefinite leave to remain (ILR), which allows people to become eligible for permanent settlement. Ms Mahmood had proposed doubling the current five-year period to 10 years, rising to 15 years for some lower-paid workers such as care staff. Speculation is mounting that there could be a carve-out for carers, but it is not clear whether the Home Secretary will abandon controversial plans to apply the rules retrospectively, after public criticism from senior figures like Angela Rayner. It comes as Andy Burnham said it was “difficult to say” if legal migration was too high. He told ITV legal migration has “come right down”, saying: “I think when you have planned migration, it’s difficult to say is it too high or too low, because it’s got to be, if you like, following gaps in the economy”. The PM added: “Because if you just put a number on it, then we may have a shortage in a certain area." For updates on Shabana Mahmood's announcement, follow our live blog here