Fahnbulleh backs home secretary on migration after dodging questions
Miatta Fahnbulleh joked she dodged Sophy Ridge's visa questions because she never lies, while insisting she supports the UK government's migration plans.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- Miatta Fahnbulleh repeatedly dodged questions about extending permanent residency timelines to 10 years.
- She joked to reporters on Thursday that she made a promise to herself never to lie.
- The UK government proposes doubling the residency requirement from five to 10 years for most workers.
- Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has also previously voiced concerns over the visa rule changes.
Miatta Fahnbulleh found herself in the spotlight after being repeatedly questioned during a television interview on Wednesday regarding government proposals to increase the time required for migrants to secure permanent residency in the UK, a question she declined to answer directly.
Addressing that exchange during a lunch with political reporters on Thursday, she joked that she failed to answer explicitly because she had told herself she would never lie, which led to an awkward moment when she was interviewed by Sophy Ridge on Sky News, though she later clarified it was intended as a joke.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Permanent residence, or indefinite leave to remain, grants individuals the right to live, work, and study in the United Kingdom indefinitely, alongside eligibility to apply for state benefits. The current government proposal seeks to double the qualifying period for most migrant workers from five years to 10 years, while refugees could face a 20-year wait.
Earlier in September, Shabana Mahmood told the Labour Party conference that the government would reach a position balancing fairness for legal arrivals and British citizens. However, a significant number of Labour MPs and trade unions are urging her to water down the proposed reforms.
"I made three promises to myself when I came into politics. The first was never lie, which has created some awkward moments including being interviewed by Sophy Ridge yesterday, but nevermind."
Miatta Fahnbulleh
This migration policy debate highlights underlying tensions within the UK Labour government as officials attempt to balance stricter immigration controls with pushback from party members and unions concerned about humanitarian impacts and shifting rules for long-term residents.
Downing Street has maintained that Mahmood is reviewing responses from a public consultation exercise before finalizing the reforms. Meanwhile, cabinet minister Angela Rayner previously criticized the proposed changes, warning against shifting the goalposts for individuals who arrived in the UK earlier this decade.
Source: BBC Politics
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