Andy Burnham hints at Shabana Mahmood migration U-turn as Cabinet revolt rocks Labour
Andy Burnham has refused to rule out back-pedalling on Shabana Mahmood's migration reforms amid a Cabinet revolt over the Home Secretary's proposals.
The Prime Minister, who said he strongly supports the principle that indefinite leave to remain is a “right to be earned”, stopped short of committing to the implementation of all of Ms Mahmood's reforms.
He said: “We’re in a position where we’ve been consulting on those reforms, and we will come forward with our decisions soon.
“But I strongly support the Home Secretary when she says that settlement is a right to be earned through contribution, and that will be the principle that guides our reforms.”
Mr Burnham was speaking as Labour MPs plot to revolt against plans to increase the five-year wait for claiming indefinite leave to remain by up to 10 years.
Housing Secretary Angela Rayner has warned that changing settlement rules for migrants already in Britain would be “un-British”.
She said: “We shouldn’t rip up the rules halfway through – taking retrospective action on people who are taxpayers, who are making a contribution, who are part of our society looking after our most vulnerable.”
Meanwhile, Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh warned that “if we continually prolong the time people have to wait for settlement, we can also prolong the process of building cohesion”.
However, following further fury yesterday, the Peckham MP insisted she “100% back[s] Shabana Mahmood and everything she is trying to do”.
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Andy Burnham: We are facing a winter of great flooding
The Prime Minister has warned the UK could be facing a "winter of great flooding" as Storms Austen and Boelo batter much of the UK.
Andy Burnham is today speaking at a wildfire summit in the north west of England, where he declared the Government is "having the conversation with people about being better prepared" as the climate becomes more extreme.
"We’re living in a world where unexpected events seem to be becoming more and more common," he said.
"Obviously weather events - and we’re in a situation today where the UK is facing storms, and obviously we feel for the people without power in Cornwall right now - it is just having those supplies in the house to get you through those moments.
"So we are having that conversation about resilience. That’s why we’re holding this summit today, it’s why we’re putting the guidance out to the public.
"We potentially are facing a winter of greater flooding, so it’s about recognising all of those risks and taking action."
Prime Minister clarifies priorities after stockpiling advice
Andy Burnham has clarified that alcohol should not be a priority when stockpiling, as per the Government's recent advice.
Labour's Be Ready Campaign encouraged people to stock up with food and water supplies to last three days, amid growing concerns over the weather and cyber threats.
Angela Rayner joked previously a bottle of sauvignon blanc and mascara would be part of her kit.
In response today, Mr Burnham said: "I’m not sure that [wine is] the top of the list in terms of the advice that we’re giving to the to the public.
"You need to have a clear head when it comes to a challenging situation.
"So yeah, some tins of food, some bottled water. But I’m sure people are allowed a glass or two as well to get them through a difficult situation."
Andy Burnham: Indefinite leave to remain is a right to be earned
Andy Burnham has backed the notion that settling permanently in Britain must be "a right to be earned".
There is mounting speculation that the proposal to extend the qualifying period for indefinite leave to remain from five years to as long as a decade for overseas care workers may be diluted.
Concerns over a potential backbench revolt, fuelled by criticism from prominent Labour MPs, appear to be driving the rethink.
When pressed on whether the Government would hold firm on its plans, Mr Burnham said: "We're in a position where we've been consulting on those reforms, and we will come forward with our decisions soon."
He added: "But I strongly support the Home Secretary when she says that settlement is a right to be earned through contribution, and that will be the principle that guides our reforms."
Labour unable to confirm three per cent defence spending by 2030
A Labour minister was this morning unable to confirm the party will achieve the targeted three per cent of GDP investment in defence by 2030.
Treasury minister James Murray defended the Government's stockpiling warnings to GB News, claiming the campaign was simply "common sense" and that "no specific threats" are known to the UK.
He did warn of wider threats, however, such as cyber attacks, wildfires and climate change, which he said are "real".
Asked about Labour's defence spending, Mr Murray insisted both Chancellor John Healey and Prime Minister Andy Burnham were "committed" to hitting the target of three per cent of GDP.
But when pressed on whether he believes the Government will achieve the target, the minister simply replied: "The Chancellor will set out the details and give an update on defence spending in the Budget next week."
Tories push for 'national resilience' vote to ban solar panels from prime agricultural land
The Tories will push for a "national resilience" vote to ban solar farms from prime agricultural land, Shadow Environment Secretary Victoria Atkins has told GB News.
Ms Atkins, who represents the largely rural seat of Louth & Horncastle in Lincolnshire, is bringing forward her first private members' bill since entering the House of Commons in 2015.
During an appearance on Chopper's Political Podcast, Ms Atkins said: "I very much am against it [building solar panels on agricultural land].
"Indeed, for the first time in 11 years of being a Member of Parliament, I've been drawn in the private members' bill ballot, which means I can put a law forward."
Conservatives: Wes Streeting's warning was a clever thing... but we must invest in Armed Forces
The Conservatives have said the Government's warning yesterday to stockpile food and water was "probably a clever thing," but insisted more investment must be put towards the Armed Forces.
Labour's Be Ready Campaign encouraged people to stock up with food and water supplies to last three days, amid growing concerns over the weather and cyber threats. It has been criticised for "causing panic".
Speaking to GB News this morning, Shadow Minister of State for Illegal Immigration, Crime, Policing and Fire Matt Vickers said the warning was a "sensible thing".
However, he insisted: "The bigger question is about our defence, about our ability and capability to deal with cyber attacks."
The Tory MP pleaded with the Government to spend more on the Armed Forces, stating: "The best way to work towards peace is to prepare for war - if we look weak, that is the biggest threat to peace."
He also said reaching the target of 3 per cent investment in defence will be "keeping Andy Burnham up at night".
Labour: We aren't setting out a shopping list for households
Labour has insisted it is not setting out a "shopping list" to households across the country.
This is despite the Government's Be Ready Campaign encouraging people to stock up with food and water supplies to last three days, amid growing concerns over the weather and cyber threats.
But speaking to Times Radio this morning, Treasury minister James Murray said: "This is not about the Government sending out a shopping list to everyone in the country.
"This is about putting the right information there on the government website, having an information campaign so that people are aware about it and then people taking the right choices for themselves about what they need to make sure they have supplies of at home."
Mr Murray said the campaign is about "making sure that households are resilient," and ensures the Governement "has a role to play in making sure the national infrastructure is there too."
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