# Care workers to be allowed to settle in UK faster under Mahmood’s watered-down plans

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/care-workers-to-be-allowed-to-settle-in-uk-faster-under-mahmoods-watered-down-plans/
- Published: 2026-11-02T16:04:15+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-02T16:21:45+00:00
- Original publisher: The Independent (publisher lean: Left)
- Original article: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/care-worker-shabana-mahmood-ilr-migration-covid-b3077686.html
- Topics: Business, Markets, Politics, UK, World

## Key points

- Eligible care workers can settle after five years.
- Most migrants would wait 10 years.
- Small-boat arrivals could wait up to 30 years.

## Summary

Shabana Mahmood has revised plans to lengthen the wait for permanent settlement in the UK, exempting some care workers from the proposed 15-year period. Those earning at least £25,000 a year and meeting their visa conditions can apply after five years, following criticism from Labour figures who argued the changes could be unfair to people already living and working in Britain.

Most migrants would face a 10-year qualifying period, while the highest earners could settle after three years and some workers, including doctors, nurses and teachers earning over £50,271, after five. People arriving by small boat would wait 20 years, or 30 if they did not enter work or study. Applicants would also need a clean criminal record, strong English, no taxpayer debt and sustained National Insurance contributions; the consultation received more than 200,000 responses.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.