UNIPA News|| 26 June(London)-Labour infighting intensified on Friday after Prime Minister Keir Starmer declined to dismiss Immigration Minister Mike Tapp despite calls from Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood for his removal over an article challenging elements of the government’s immigration policy.
Mahmood reportedly urged Starmer to sack Tapp after he wrote an opinion piece advocating exemptions to the government’s proposed changes to settlement rules for certain care workers. She accused the minister of publicly promoting a compromise policy that had been under internal discussion and presenting it as his own initiative.
Despite the pressure, Tapp remained in his post, with Downing Street confirming that no decision had been taken to remove him or refer the matter to the Prime Minister’s independent adviser on ministerial standards.
Responding on social media, Tapp rejected allegations of misconduct, insisting he had been working on the policy for months and would not withdraw his views. He said he had evidence to support his involvement in developing the proposal and maintained that he would not be intimidated into changing his position.
In an article published in The Times, Tapp argued that care workers who entered the UK legally on health and care visas and had made genuine contributions to the country’s care sector should not face a longer wait before becoming eligible for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR). He proposed exempting those on the health and care visa route from the government’s planned extension of the qualifying period for settlement from five years to ten years.
According to Home Office estimates and analysis by the Migration Advisory Committee, around 200,000 care workers and their dependants are expected to apply for permanent settlement by 2030 if the existing five-year pathway remains unchanged.
Although Home Office officials suggested Tapp could face dismissal for allegedly breaching the Ministerial Code, Downing Street stated that he continues to serve as immigration minister. Government insiders indicated that any potential breach was not considered serious enough to justify his removal.
Justice Minister Jake Richards defended collective responsibility but said decisions on whether ministers had breached the Ministerial Code rested solely with the Prime Minister. He described Tapp as a respected colleague and expressed confidence that he would continue serving both as a minister and Member of Parliament.
The dispute comes during a period of political uncertainty following Starmer’s announcement that he will step down as Labour leader. Reports suggest Andy Burnham is expected to succeed him as Prime Minister next month, while Mahmood has been widely tipped for a senior cabinet role in a future administration.
