Angela Rayner has stood by her attack on care worker visa reforms, calling the Home Office plans to make it harder for foreign care workers to claim permanent residence in the UK “disruptive”. The housing secretary and former care worker reaffirmed her opposition ahead of the Labour conference, highlighting a potential cabinet split over immigration policy.
What Are the Care Worker Visa Reforms?
Last year, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood announced that low-paid migrants on jobs below graduate level would have to remain in the country for 15 years before applying for settlement. The policy, devised under former Prime Minister Keir Starmer, aimed to ease voter concerns about net migration numbers. However, critics argue it unfairly penalises essential workers who have built lives in the UK.
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Rayner’s Stance on Care Worker Visa Reforms
Rayner, who left school at 16 and worked as a care worker, has been a vocal critic of the reforms. She previously described the plans as “un-British” and reiterated her concerns in an interview with The Times. “In regards to the carers, who were asked to come to this country to look after our loved ones, they have moved their lives here,” she said. “It is disruptive to them and unfair.”
Her comments come as Andy Burnham, who succeeded Starmer in July, is understood to be uneasy about aspects of the proposals. Burnham is reportedly considering exempting workers who have already moved to the UK, a move that could further divide the cabinet.
Political Fallout and Labour Conference
More than 100 Labour MPs and many trade unions oppose the reforms. The upcoming Labour conference, Burnham’s first as leader, is expected to highlight tensions within the party. Rayner’s decision to stand by her criticism signals a potential schism in the cabinet, as she rejoined the frontbench after resigning as deputy prime minister last year over an unpaid stamp duty row.
Comparing the Proposed Settlement Rules
The table below compares the current settlement rules with the proposed changes for care workers and other low-paid migrants.
| Category | Current Rule | Proposed Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Care workers (below graduate level) | 5 years to settlement | 15 years to settlement |
| Graduate-level jobs | 5 years to settlement | No change |
| Existing workers | 5 years to settlement | Potentially exempt under Burnham plan |
Key Takeaways
- Angela Rayner opposes the 15-year settlement rule for care workers, calling it “disruptive” and “un-British”.
- Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood introduced the reforms to reduce net migration.
- Over 100 Labour MPs and trade unions are against the changes.
- Andy Burnham may exempt existing workers, signalling a possible policy shift.
- The Labour conference could expose deeper divisions within the party.
FAQ
What is the care worker visa reform?
The reform requires low-paid migrants, including care workers, to stay in the UK for 15 years before applying for permanent settlement, up from the current 5 years.
Why does Angela Rayner oppose the reforms?
Rayner argues that the changes unfairly penalise care workers who have moved their lives to the UK to look after vulnerable people, calling the plans “disruptive” and “un-British”.
What is Andy Burnham’s position on the visa reforms?
Burnham is reportedly uneasy about the proposals and is considering exempting workers who have already moved to the UK from the 15-year rule.
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