Shabana Mahmood’s changes to the migration system could harm women and children, a Labour MP has warned, as members of her own party continue to raise concerns with the home secretary’s proposals.

Olivia Bailey, the chair of the women and equalities committee, has written to Mahmood warning about the possible damage that could be done by plans to make it harder for migrants to achieve settled status in the UK.

Mahmood has said the changes are designed to deter both economic migrants and asylum seekers from coming to the UK, and to minimise the impact on British taxpayers of those who are already here.

The home secretary softened the proposed rules for care workers and their families on Monday after unions, cabinet members and backbench Labour MPs voiced their concerns.

But many in the Labour party and in the charitable sector are still unhappy with the plans, claiming they are unfair to those who have already arrived in the country, and risk pushing people into destitution.

Writing on behalf of the…