Shabana Mahmood has made a strong plea for Keir Starmer to dismiss one of her ministers, sparking tensions with No10.
The Home Secretary expressed anger after Mike Tapp published an article advocating for adjustments to her immigration policies without her approval. Tapp emphasized his belief that migrant care workers should not have to wait 15 years to be eligible for indefinite leave to remain (ILR), a concession that is under consideration.
Despite the Home Secretary’s request for Tapp’s dismissal for violating the Ministerial Code, No10 has declined to remove the immigration minister. This refusal could lead to a potential rift between the Prime Minister and the head of the Home Office.
Following significant backlash, the Home Secretary and her team are reportedly exploring amendments to her stringent migration overhaul. An official source mentioned, “The Home Secretary has urged the Prime Minister to sack Mike Tapp for breaching the Ministerial Code,” which mandates ministers to collectively bear responsibility for decisions.
According to an insider from Sky News, Tapp, a supporter of Starmer who hinted at a possible general election if replaced, allegedly presented ideas already being considered by the Home Secretary as his own to secure a position in the new administration.
As the prospective Prime Minister, Andy Burnham is contemplating revising several proposals introduced as part of a migration reform. The proposals, particularly the alteration of ILR regulations with retrospective application, have triggered public outcry.
If implemented, care workers arriving in the UK post-Covid may face an extended qualification period of 15 years, triple the current five years. This would necessitate them to find a new sponsor whenever changing jobs, a move unions caution could lead to a mass exodus in the struggling sector.
Over 100 Labour MPs have urged Starmer to reconsider these changes. Lydia Kabute, a health and social care visa holder from Kenya, questioned the rationale behind extending the qualification period and highlighted the impact on care workers who had responded to the UK’s call for assistance during the pandemic.
Trade union Unison criticized the proposed rule change as ethically unjust and warned of exacerbating the social care crisis, given that migrant staff constitute nearly 30% of the sector’s workforce.
Under the current regulations, individuals must reside in the UK for five years to obtain settled status, which is being revised to a standard 10-year requirement. However, Ms. Mahmood has stated that NHS workers, high earners, and volunteers will receive expedited processing, while those claiming benefits or entering the country illegally will face penalties.
Ms. Mahmood has emphasized that her reforms aim to establish a humane yet regulated system.
The Mirror has reached out to Mr. Tapp for his response.