On Monday Shabana Mahmood gave a speech in parliament about her new immigration plans. For many it was shocking. But she received praise from unwelcome quarters. Tommy Robinson welcomed Labour’s shift to the right: “The Overton window has been obliterated,” he wrote. “Well done patriots.”

Jessica Elgot, the Guardian’s deputy political editor, told Helen Pidd: “I think it’s extraordinary that something like this can get the support of Keir Starmer, the former human rights lawyer, and actually a significant chunk of Labour MPs.”. So what did Mahmood announce and why has it caused such consternation?

Helen Pidd hears how refugees may now have to wait up to 20 years to get indefinite leave to remain, how asylum-seeking families could be deported and how there may even be plans to remove valuables from asylum seekers at the border. For many this is cruel but Mahmood insists it is necessary to bring the system under control and stop this issue dividing the country.