UK Energy Secretary Removes Criticism of Longer Settlement Plans

The UK energy secretary, Miatta Fahnbulleh, criticised the government's migration proposals in a post on her constituency website, then removed the criticism, saying it was not a true representation of her views.

The remarks appeared in a write-up of a September community meeting in Peckham, her south London constituency. The passage suggested a longer settlement process could affect integration. It was first highlighted by the Telegraph, according to The Guardian.

In the passage, since removed, Fahnbulleh was quoted as saying: "If we continually prolong the time people have to wait for settlement, we can also prolong the process of building cohesion."

Her office said the remarks had been paraphrased and would be rewritten to reflect a more accurate description. Fahnbulleh said the published wording did not reflect her views.

The criticism concerned proposals associated with Shabana Mahmood to lengthen routes to settlement. The government has proposed increasing the standard qualifying period for indefinite leave to remain, the status for permanent settlement, from five years to 10 years.

For refugees, the proposed changes would extend the pathway to permanent settlement to up to 20 years, with reviews every 30 months.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said he is committed to the bulk of the proposed settlement changes. Housing secretary Angela Rayner said the proposed settlement changes, if left unamended, would unfairly penalise care staff.

Fahnbulleh came to the UK as a child after fleeing the civil war in Liberia. She is the Labour (Co-op) MP for Peckham.