Minister Fahnbulleh warns Mahmood migration policy could prolong integration

Website remarks revised

Fahnbulleh’s constituency website initially described comments she made at a town hall, saying longer settlement waits could hinder community cohesion. The Telegraph first highlighted the account. Her office said the remarks had been paraphrased and would be rewritten to give a more accurate account of what she told residents. The original post has since been removed.

Proposals for refugee settlement

Under the proposed changes, refugees could wait up to 20 years to qualify for permanent settlement. Their cases would be reviewed every 30 months. The government has yet to publish its final response to a consultation on the proposals. Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said he supports the bulk of the changes.

Fahnbulleh’s own experience

Fahnbulleh arrived in the UK as a child after fleeing Liberia’s civil war. On the Guardian’s Politics Weekly podcast last month, she said her family would have found Mahmood’s proposed changes “tough.” She also argued that the government should recognise migrants’ contributions. Fahnbulleh said her own presence in the UK reflected the country’s approach to immigration.

Community and cohesion

Fahnbulleh pointed to Peckham as an example of communities being built with opportunities for people to participate and integrate. She said longer waits for settlement could also lengthen the time needed to build cohesion.

Mahmood is believed to be considering changes to her plans. Fahnbulleh said she remained confident the UK would continue to welcome people.