<p>Home secretary Shabana Mahmood maintains rigorous rules for those who arrive on small boats</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2026/nov/04/ed-miliband-andy-burnham-king-charles-labour-louise-haigh-alex-burghart-pmqs-conservatives-uk-politics-latest-news">UK politics live – latest updates</a></p></li></ul><p>The United Nations refugee agency has said a government plan to make refugees wait up to 30 years before they get permission to settle in the UK “raises significant concerns”.</p><p>The strategy was unveiled <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/nov/02/shabana-mahmood-softens-immigration-plans-cabinet-backlash-leave-to-remain">earlier this week</a> by Shabana Mahmood, the home secretary, as she announced a softening of aspects of her immigration plans, but kept some of the rigorous rules drawn up by her office last year.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/nov/04/unhcr-criticises-uks-30-year-earned-settlement-plans-for-refugees">Continue reading...</a>