The Guardian view on a migration U-turn: it still leaves unfair changes intact | Editorial

Britain needs migrant workers, yet ministers would make many wait longer for secure settlement because their essential work commands low wages

Shabana Mahmood has made a partial retreat on her policy to lengthen the wait for some foreign workers who were soon to be eligible for settlement in the UK. But while the home secretary lost the argument in cabinet on a particularly damaging aspect of her proposals, she has won the larger battle that settlement ought to be based not just on residency but also on how much tax has been paid, English language proficiency and the “character” of applicants. Significantly, she has also won the “full support” of the prime minister for this approach.