Mahmood may exempt social care workers from longer settlement wait
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is expected to exempt migrant social care workers from a proposed extension to the wait for permanent UK settlement, with a decision due in Parliament next week. The possible change follows criticism from Labour figures, local leaders and trade unions, as the Government faces pressure both to reduce immigration and to protect the care workforce.
Mahmood had proposed raising the usual qualifying period from five to ten years, with some lower-paid workers potentially waiting up to 15 years. Migrants account for about 32 per cent of care worker roles, or more than half a million people in a sector with 1.59 million workers; around 430,000 are thought to be non-EU nationals. The Government consultation on settlement rules received more than 200,000 responses, and the final proposals are expected to include shorter waits for some higher earners or people who contribute to their communities.
In short
- Social care workers may be exempt from longer settlement waits.
- Most workers could face a ten-year wait under the proposals.
- Mahmood is due to announce the final rules next week.
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The case for
Exempting social care workers could recognise the sector’s reliance on migrant staff and avoid making an already difficult workforce shortage worse. A shorter route to settlement may also give workers and care providers greater stability, supporting continuity of care and acknowledging the contribution workers make.
The case against
A general extension to the settlement wait could be defended as a way to ensure permanent status follows a sustained period of residence and contribution, while helping the Government meet its aim of reducing immigration. Exemptions may weaken the consistency of that policy, and those favouring tighter rules could argue that workforce pressures should be addressed through domestic recruitment and training.
Explained simply
Settlement is permission to live in the UK permanently, usually after a period of lawful residence. It is different from citizenship, but gives people more security than a temporary visa.
Social care workers support people who need help with daily life, often in care homes or in their own homes. Migrants make up a substantial share of the UK care workforce, so changes to their visas and settlement rules could affect both workers and the services that rely on them.
The Government is considering changing how long migrants must wait to apply for settlement. The debate reflects competing concerns about immigration levels, fair treatment of workers and having enough staff to provide care.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Shabana Mahmood ‘is set to water down her migrant crackdown for around half a million migrants next week who will dodge tough new right-to-remain rules’”.