MPs are expected to pass legislation today giving new rights to long-term residents.

The United Bermuda Party said last night it will be supporting Government on the Bermuda Immigration and Protection Amendment Act, the only piece of business on the agenda in the House of Assembly today.

Shadow Labour, Home Affairs and Public Safety Minister Patricia Gordon-Pamplin said her party will be supporting the legislation because it was on the UBP's last election platform, but she will be pushing for minor amendments.

The bill, which emerged from extensive public meetings on long-term residents, will give Bermuda status under certain circumstances to the siblings or parents of Bermudians.

Another group of long-term residents will be given permanent residents' certificates, which means they will be able to look for work without renewing their work permits every year, but they will not be entitled to vote.

Government Whip Ottiwell Simmons said yesterday that although he felt the legislation was not contentious, he expected the debate to go into the evening because most MPs would want to speak.

"I am sure we will go through into the evening because of the whole question of long-term residents, and I have no doubt that most MPs will want to participate," he said.

"This is a non-contentious matter, although I expect there will be different points of view."