‘Fundamentally unfair’: Burnham must overhaul migration reforms, says TUC general secretary

The UK’s migration debate is often a volatile issue waiting to be ignited. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood’s proposals for reforming the current system and making it more “British” are facing criticism from unexpected quarters. Paul Nowak, General Secretary of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), has spoken out against these changes, warning that they risk overburdening social care services and fueling far-right sentiment.

Nowak’s concerns go beyond numbers – although his claim that a 10- to 15-year wait for many migrants to secure their right to remain in the UK would affect over 300,000 low-paid workers is significant. He argues that this policy is fundamentally unfair to those who have already made substantial contributions to the economy and social fabric.

The proposed wait time raises practical issues, such as planning one’s life, buying a house, or sending children to school without fear of deportation. However, it also touches on the moral obligation we have to those who have chosen to make our country their home. Nowak’s own family history serves as a poignant reminder: his grandfathers came to the UK after World War II and built new lives here.

Labour politicians supporting these reforms claim that they are necessary to address public concerns about migration. However, by lengthening the wait for people to consider themselves settled in the UK, we risk creating a sense of permanent uncertainty and insecurity among migrants. This is precisely what populist parties like Reform UK feed on – the notion that newcomers are somehow “other,” not fully deserving of our respect or protection.

The Burnham government must take Nowak’s warning seriously. Ignoring his concerns and pushing ahead with these reforms risks emboldening far-right sentiment and undermining efforts to combat it. The TUC General Secretary is right to point out that this approach will ultimately lead to a toxic environment where migrants are seen as second-class citizens.

These criticisms raise important questions about our values as a society: Are we willing to sacrifice the contributions and dignity of migrant workers on the altar of public opinion? Or do we believe that our society is strong enough to welcome newcomers with open arms, without fear or prejudice?

As the government prepares its budget for October 28, Nowak’s call for a “social tariff” to cut energy bills for lower-paid users – funded by a windfall tax on banks – serves as a timely reminder of what’s truly at stake. By prioritizing the needs of working-class households and taking on the excesses of big business, we can start to rebuild trust in our institutions and create a more equitable society.

The choice facing Burnham is clear: will he stand with Nowak and the TUC, or will he follow Mahmood’s lead and risk unleashing a social crisis? The answer will shape not just the future of migration policy but the very fabric of our society.