The government is facing calls from senior ministers to exempt foreign care workers from proposed changes to immigration rules that would extend the period before they can apply for indefinite leave to remain in the UK. Angela Rayner, the Secretary of State for Housing, urged Prime Minister Andy Burnham to reconsider plans that would increase the required residency from five to 15 years for care workers, even for those already living in the country.
Rayner made her first public comments on the matter since rejoining Cabinet during an interview on LBC. She emphasized the importance of honoring existing immigration commitments to care workers, stating that altering the rules retrospectively would be unfair. Rayner noted the need for a sustainable care workforce and expressed support for creating clear career pathways in the sector, encouraging young people to view social care as a viable and rewarding profession.
The ongoing discussion follows Burnham's announcement on Wednesday, in which he pledged immediate action to address the critical shortage of social care staff, which currently has nearly 96,000 vacancies nationwide. The Prime Minister highlighted the essential contributions of foreign care workers, referencing the personal care his father receives, and reiterated appreciation for their role in supporting vulnerable individuals in the UK.
The social care sector traditionally relies heavily on international recruitment; approximately one-third of the UK’s 1.6 million care workers are foreign nationals. However, visa regulations have tightened in recent years. Last year, the government ended the recruitment of care workers from abroad as part of efforts to reduce net migration. The changes under consideration, led by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, include extending the period required to obtain settled status on a health and care visa from five to 15 years.
A government spokesperson confirmed that officials are reviewing more than 200,000 responses to a consultation on transitional arrangements for individuals currently residing in the UK without settled status. No final decisions have been announced yet, with a new "Earned Settlement" model expected to be unveiled in the autumn.
The debate highlights tensions between immigration policy objectives and the urgent need to address staffing shortages in a critical sector that depends heavily on migrant workers. Care sector representatives warn that the proposed visa changes could exacerbate workforce challenges at a time when demand for social care is increasing. Meanwhile, government officials insist that ongoing consultations aim to balance these complex priorities.