Labour minister fails to commit to backing Home Secretary's bid to make migrants wait longer before they settle in Britain as he admits he 'doesn't know the specifics' of the policy

By GREG HEFFER, POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT and MARTIN BECKFORD, POLICY EDITOR Published: 11:56, 12 July 2026 | Updated: 11:58, 12 July 2026 A Labour minister today failed to commit to backing the Home Secretary's planned shake-up of immigration rules as he admitted he didn't know the details of the policy. Chris Bryant, who appeared on TV shows on Sunday as the Government's representative, said he could only offer his 'basic instinct' as to whether he supported Shabana Mahmood's plans. It comes ahead of MPs debating the Home Secretary's Immigration and Asylum Bill in the House of Commons tomorrow, which could see a show of strength from Labour rebels. Ms Mahmood wants to make migrants wait twice as long before they can settle permanently in Britain, by lengthening the time needed to qualify for indefinite leave to remain (ILR). But the proposals have angered a large number of Labour MPs, with nearly 80 of the party's backbenchers having written to incoming prime minister Andy Burnham to urge him to scrap the Home Secretary's plans. Although the ILR changes are not part of the Immigration and Asylum Bill, Labour rebels are set to use Monday's debate in the Commons as a 'referendum' on Ms Mahmood's tough stance. Dozens are expected to abstain rather than voting for the Bill at its Second Reading on Monday, and some will try to speak out against the proposals in the debate. Sir Chris, a trade minister, was asked on Sunday if he personally supported Ms Mahmood's plans on ILR. He told Sky News: 'I don't know the specifics of the policy, and I don't know how this is going to roll out.' Chris Bryant, who appeared on TV shows on Sunday as the Government's representative, said he could only offer his 'basic instinct' as to whether he supported the Home Secretary's plans It comes ahead of MPs debating Shabana Mahmood's Immigration and Asylum Bill in the House of Commons tomorrow, which could see a show of strength from Labour rebels He added: 'You don't only have to achieve consensus in the House of Commons, you also have to then get it through the House of Lords as well. So that's a whole process still to come. 'I'm just giving you my basic instincts, which is that I know - as a Rhondda and Ogmore MP - people are concerned here about the levels of illegal migration to the UK and the number of people that sometimes come as associated people alongside other people who've got a right to come here. 'I know it's the number one thing that my constituents want us to get on top of. All I can give you is my basic instinct, I'm afraid.' It is not yet known whether Mr Burnham will keep Ms Mahmood at the Home Office when he becomes PM on 20 July. But the incoming premier is said by allies to understand the importance of the issue and to remain committed to the Home Secretary's tough stance on immigration. Labour rebels have complained that Ms Mahmood's plan to double the time to qualify for ILR to ten years, and to apply it retrospectively to those already in the UK, 'does not pass the fairness test'. There is also anger at Sir Keir's Government for tabling the Second Reading of the Immigration and Asylum Bill for Monday despite knowing Mr Burnham will soon be taking over. As part of the Bill, refugee status will no longer be permanent and those granted asylum will face reviews every 30 months to see if they still face danger in their home countries or if they could safely return.