Shabana Mahmood has watered down some of last year's immigration plans after a backlash from enraged backbench Labour MPs and some of her cabinet colleagues.

But the package of proposals outlined on Thursday is still a radical hardening of the rules for those wishing to settle permanently in the UK. People on lower incomes will have to wait longer before achieving indefinite leave to remain (ILR) in the UK, while people on higher salaries will find it easier.