// BBC UK NEWS — CRONACA
Fahnbulleh says she backs home secretary on migration after comments to journalists
Miatta Fahnbulleh initially did not explicitly back the government's proposals
The energy minister has insisted she backs Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood's immigration reforms after she made what she described as a "light-hearted remark".
Miatta Fahnbulleh was repeatedly asked in an interview on Wednesday whether she supported the government's plans to increase the time it takes for migrants to gain permanent UK residency, but refused to.
Referring to that exchange, she joked to reporters on Thursday that she did not explicitly answer the question because she had told herself she would "never lie".
In a later statement, she said: "Today I made what was meant to be a light-hearted self-deprecating remark. I didn't get it right and it hasn't come off as I intended."
She added: "I fully support our home secretary and the government's position on migration reform."
Permanent residence, or indefinite leave to remain, gives a person the right to live, work and study in the UK for as long as they like and apply for benefits if they are eligible.
The government wants to double the time it takes most migrant workers to qualify for permanent residence from five years to 10 years, while in the case of refugees it could take 20 years.
Mahmood told Labour Party conference in September the government would "come to a position that balances fairness for those who came here legally and fairness to British citizens across this country".
But a significant number of Labour MPs and trade unions want her to water down the proposed policy.