Mahmood’s migration changes will deliver fraction of claimed savings, data suggests

Shabana Mahmood wants to extend the qualifying period for gaining settled status, which gives access to benefits, from five years to 10 years. Photograph: Thomas Krych/Zuma Press/Shutterstock

Shabana Mahmood’s migration changes are expected to save just £600m – about 6% of the £10bn the home secretary claimed, according to the government’s own data.

Under the plans, most people would have to wait 10 years to qualify for settled status, rather than the existing five-year period, which the home secretary argued would save costs on public services.