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Mahmood refuses to put cost on care worker settlement climbdown
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has revised plans to lengthen the wait for permanent settlement for foreign care workers already in the UK, after opposition from some Labour MPs. She would not put a total cost on the changes, but said the revised package would still save billions of pounds because other groups will wait longer to settle.
Under the original proposal, most migrants would wait 10 years rather than five, with some facing 15 years; the Home Office said this could save £10bn. Under the revision, care workers who arrived before May 2025 and earn at least £25,000 can still qualify after five years, while some others can seek a further five-year visa before applying. The number delayed from gaining permanent residency has fallen from almost 800,000 to just over 500,000. A Home Office minister estimated welfare savings of at least £1bn over the next couple of years, with further calculations to come.
In short
- Mahmood revised settlement plans for foreign care workers.
- More than 500,000 people will still face delays.
- A minister estimates at least £1bn in near-term welfare savings.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Keeping a five-year route for care workers already in the UK recognises their contribution and avoids disrupting people who may have planned their lives around the existing settlement path. Supporters can argue that retaining experienced workers helps care services and that the revised rules still delay settlement for many other migrants, preserving substantial savings.
The case against
Critics can argue that exemptions weaken a policy intended to reduce long-term settlement and welfare costs, while making the rules harder to explain and apply consistently. With no total cost yet available, they may question whether the revised package delivers the savings claimed and whether the government has set out a clear, evidence-based balance between fiscal aims and care-sector needs.
Explained simply
Permanent settlement, also called indefinite leave to remain, lets someone live in the UK without a time limit and can be a step towards citizenship. Many migrants have traditionally been able to apply after five years, depending on their visa and circumstances.
Care workers from overseas have been recruited to work in the UK’s social care system, which provides support to people who need help with daily tasks. The Home Office sets immigration rules, while ministers and MPs debate how those rules affect public spending, employers and workers.
The settlement debate is part of a wider question about how long migrants should wait for permanent status and what support they can access while waiting. Changes can affect workers’ plans to stay in the UK, as well as care providers’ ability to recruit and retain staff.