Angela Rayner stands by attack on care worker visa reforms ahead of Labour conference
Summary
Angela Rayner criticized new UK government rules that make it harder for foreign care workers to gain permanent residence after living in the country for 15 years. The reforms, aimed at lowering immigration numbers, have caused concern among Labour Party members, care workers, and trade unions.Key Facts
- The UK Home Office plans to require low-paid migrant workers to live in the country for 15 years before applying for permanent residency.
- Angela Rayner called these changes “disruptive” and unfair to care workers who moved to the UK to care for vulnerable people.
- These reforms were introduced under Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government to address voter concerns about immigration.
- Andy Burnham, the current Labour leader, may exempt care workers already living in the UK from these rules.
- More than 100 Labour MPs and many trade unions oppose the reforms.
- Around 180,000 foreign care workers arrived in the UK between 2022 and 2024, mostly under Conservative governments.
- The Labour government also stopped recruiting care workers from abroad and limited their ability to bring family members.
- Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said the government is reviewing consultation feedback before finalizing the policy.
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