Immigration: Earned Settlement

Debate between Patricia Ferguson and Shabana Mahmood

Monday 2nd November 2026 Commons Chamber

[Shabana Mahmood]

I was not aware of those arrangements in the Lake district. My hon. Friend is right about the broader point; it is incumbent on all Government Departments to think about these issues in the round and to strike a fair balance. All the conversations that I have had with my colleagues in Cabinet reflect that, as the Government position.

[Patricia Ferguson (Glasgow West) (Lab)]

I thank my right hon. Friend for her statement. Could she consider the disparity that sometimes arises across the UK in salaries? I point her to information published by the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland just last month, which indicated that those in Scotland were likely to be earning up to 9% less than their counterparts in the rest of the UK. We clearly would not want people in the immigration system to be caught out by that anomaly, too.

[Shabana Mahmood]

My hon. Friend makes an important point. She will know that those who are already in the country on lower salaries were given an exemption by the previous Government, and so can extend their visa on the same salary. We have agreed that we will extend that further to 2035, to enable those people to achieve settlement. More broadly, she will know that some of the changes in the Budget reflect advice from the Migration Advisory Committee on regional pay.

Immigration and Asylum Bill

Debate between Patricia Ferguson and Shabana Mahmood

2nd reading
Monday 13th July 2026 Commons Chamber

[Imran Hussain]

On that point, will the Home Secretary give way?

[Shabana Mahmood]

I will give way to my hon. Friend who has not asked a question yet.

[Patricia Ferguson]

Does my right hon. Friend think it would be more appropriate for the Lord Chancellor or the Judicial Appointments Commission to have input into the first of each of these appointments, to ensure their independence is guaranteed?

[Shabana Mahmood]

All such appointments will be subject to the usual public appointments principles, which will apply here as they do elsewhere. I am happy to discuss with Members, as the Bill passes through the House, whether there are any additional safeguards—