𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

Ministers fighting to make it a requirement for migrants to wait longer before winning the right to make the UK their long-term home have the backing of a majority of Britons.

Proposals to double the time it takes to qualify for permanent residence from five years to 10 years have come under attack. There is particular opposition to applying new rules to people already in the country, with potential leadership contender Angela Rayner reportedly telling activists it was “un-British” and a “breach of trust” to change the requirements on securing indefinite leave to remain.

YouGov polling shows just over half of Britons (53%) say they support increasing the length of residency required to be eligible for this status. Fewer than three out of 10 (28%) are opposed and around one in five (19%) do not know what they thought.

Reform UK voters are most in favour of toughening the requirements (70%), as are 67% of Tories and 54% of Liberal Democrats. This compares with 48% of Labour voters and just 33% of Greens.

Polling by Ipsos found that when Britons were asked to name the most important issues facing the country, immigration was the most commonly mentioned (37%), ahead of the economy (34%) and defence, foreign affairs and terrorism (31%). However, there had been a 16-point surge in mentions of the defence category on the previous month, reflecting heightened concern in the wake of the conflict in Iran.

There is strong internal opposition to the proposed changes to the settlement process within the Labour party with Tony Vaughan sending a letter signed by 100 MPs urging a rethink. Opponents may force a non-binding vote on the proposals.

However, there is also alarm at reports the Government is considering watering down the plans set out by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood.

A senior Labour MP said: “There is a massive gap between what the Left-wing of the party believes and what the mainstream public believes. There is a new schism developing.

“I think Starmer is so afraid of offending anybody he is offending everybody. I wonder now where does this leave Shabana…What is the point in being a Government minister, suggesting anything, [because] if the Left-wing don’t like it, Keir will junk you and your ideas and throw you under the bus at the same time.”

Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham has signalled his support for Ms Rayner, saying “the party would always do well to listen to what Angela has got to say”.