Home Office could capitulate to left-wing Labour MPs over immigration reforms ahead of Andy Burnham coronation

The Home Office is set to bow down to leftie Labour MPs over immigration reforms ahead of Andy Burnham's coronation.

Shabana Mahmood's department could grant 1.6 million migrants indefinite leave to remain (ILR) after five years, as opposed to 10 to appease potential rebel backbench Labour MPs.

A group of left-wing Labour MPs had previously urged Andy Burnham to change course on Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood’s immigration and asylum policies.

As part of the compromise, foreign workers and their families who arrived in the UK since 2021, a group sometimes nicknamed the "Boriswave" would face waiting longer to qualify for benefits.

The proposals are one of several drawn up by officials as part of efforts to soften the impact on migrants who are already in the UK from changes to the ILR system.

Those who are eligible for ILR can also access welfare including housing support, universal credit, disability payments, council tax reduction, tax credits and state pension credits.

A source told The Times: "What it boils down to is benefits. You would allow them to get ILR after five years but you don’t allow them to claim benefits until three or four years later."

While the source admitted "most people don’t come here so they can claim benefits", but added the idea that they can do so "as soon as they get ILR" was "politically damaging" to Labour.

A Home Office spokesman said: "Settlement in the UK is a privilege, not a right. That is why we are reforming settlement rules, based on contribution to the UK and ensuring those staying here respect our laws and contribute to the country."

FOLLOW BELOW FOR LIVE UPDATES THROUGHOUT THE DAY…

Tens of thousands to parade across Northern Ireland today in celebration of centuries-long tradition

Tens of thousands of people are set to march in Northern Ireland today for the Orange Order's annual Twelfth parades.

The celebrations mark 336 years since the Battle of the Boyne, when the Protestant King William of Orange defeated Catholic King James II.

Events are set to take place in 18 main locations throughout the region - though because July 12 landed on a Sunday this year, the traditional parades have been moved to Monday.

Forecasters are predicting warm and sunny conditions for the day's festivities, while the Orange Order's Grand Master Harold Henning has praised today as a celebration of 230 years of parading.

FOLLOW ALONG WITH ALL THE UPDATES FROM NORTHERN IRELAND HERE.

Shabana Mahmood to lay out plans to change law to deport grooming gang leader

The Home Secretary is due to set out changes to the law to allow for the deportation of Rochdale grooming gang leader Shabir Ahmed.

Shabana Mahmood is expected to set out proposals on Monday to amend a 1971 law preventing the removal of Ahmed, who was released from prison earlier this month.

Ahmed was released on July 2 after serving 14 years since his conviction in 2012 for rape and sexual offences against girls, some as young as 12. He had been sentenced to 19 years in prison.

The Government has been examining ways to deport him since his release last week. The 1971 law forbids the removal of a small group of Commonwealth citizens who arrived in the UK more than 50 years ago.

Ms Mahmood is expected to detail a way to close the loophole in the Immigration Act which prevents his deportation even though he has already been stripped of his British citizenship.

It is not clear whether Ms Mahmood’s planned changes will come under separate fast-tracked legislation or as an amendment to the Immigration and Asylum Bill, which is due to be debated in the Commons on Monday.

A Home Office minister indicated last week that the Government could consider emergency legislation.

GB News understands Pakistan is not expected to accept Ahmed, with Islamabad demanding the extradition of two political dissidents from the UK in order to do so, according to reports last week.

Downing Street said the UK was "exploring every available option" including speaking to Pakistani authorities.

Keir Starmer heading to Paris as he begins final week in Downing Street

Sir Keir Starmer will begin what is expected to be his final week as Prime Minister with a diplomatic blitz as his expected successor Andy Burnham waits to take over.

Mr Burnham, the only candidate in Labour’s leadership process, is expected to officially succeed Sir Keir on Monday July 20.

No other challenger can get the required 81 MPs needed to stand against Mr Burnham, as he has the support of 322 out of Labour’s 403 MPs, and more are likely to nominate him on Monday when they return to Westminster.

Sir Keir is set to travel to Paris later where he will join allies of Ukraine for a meeting of the "coalition of the willing".

He is also expected to join Bastille Day events on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper is in Brussels today for a meeting about Palestine, where meet with Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa.

RECAP: Britons 'could die in 12-hour queues at border' thanks to new EU system

British tourists could die in 12-hour long queues in Kent this summer unless the EU halts its contentious new border system, an MP has warned.

Herne Bay and Sandwich MP Sir Roger Gale said traffic gridlock thanks to the Entry/Exit System (EES) could stop emergency services reaching people in distress.

"If you have elderly people, children and dogs in 12-hour queues with no lavatory facilities, inadequate water supplies, somebody will die, somebody will have a heart attack," he said.

"I'm not overegging it. This is the stark reality," Sir Roger told The Times.

READ THE FULL STORY HERE.