A call for reform
Former Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has intensified her campaign against proposed government visa restrictions for migrant care workers. Speaking at a Unison rally in Westminster, Rayner argued that current policies leave staff vulnerable to exploitation and create a climate of fear regarding their legal status in the UK.
Rayner, who previously worked in the care sector, is specifically targeting proposals by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood that could extend the qualifying period for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) from five to 15 years for certain workers. She described the potential retrospective application of these rules as “un-British,” arguing that the government should not “rip up the rules halfway through” for those already contributing to the economy.
Stakes for the care sector
The proposed changes have sparked significant concern regarding the stability of the social care workforce, which currently faces approximately 111,000 vacancies in England. Unison, the trade union representing many of these workers, reports that nearly 30% of the sector’s staff are migrants.
Rayner is advocating for a shift toward sector-wide visas rather than employer-tied sponsorship, which she claims allows unscrupulous employers to bully staff under the threat of deportation. In addition to visa reform, she has called for an industry-wide fair pay agreement to improve working conditions and retention.
Government position
The Home Office maintains its stance that the route to settlement should be earned. A government spokesperson stated that while the UK welcomes those contributing to national life, the “privilege of living here forever” should not be automatic. The government aims to address the scale of migration seen between 2021 and 2024, proposing a move to a 10-year settlement path for many, with fast-tracked options for high earners and NHS staff.