Content overview: “Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh Clarifies Support for Shabana Mahmood’s 15-Year Migrati”. Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh has moved to clarify her position on the government’s new migration policy, insisting she backs Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood’s plan to require foreign workers to wait 15 years before gaining permanent residency. The clarification came after Fahnbulleh told a Westminster journalists’ event that she had been unable to “lie” about supporting the measure during a Sky News interview, which she described as “awkward.” Her office later said the remark was meant to be lighthearted and self-deprecating, not a signal of dissent.
The episode highlights internal tensions within the Labour government over immigration, a politically sensitive issue as ministers try to balance economic needs with public concerns. Fahnbulleh’s initial reluctance to endorse the 15-year threshold—up from the current five years—drew attention because she is a senior cabinet member expected to defend collective policy. This listing links straight to the original page, where the content is available in full.