Andy Burnham has hinted at the possibility of excluding foreign care workers from immigration reforms while commending the caregivers looking after his father. The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of “fairness” in regulations for individuals who arrived in the UK in good faith to work in the sector, indicating a potential relaxation of the visa restrictions proposed by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood.
The proposed changes aim to make it more challenging for migrants to settle permanently in the UK, requiring overseas carers to wait 15 years to qualify for indefinite leave to remain, compared to the current five-year requirement, even if they are already residing in the country. The notion of retroactively applying these rules to individuals who entered on post-Brexit health and social care visas sparked significant criticism.
Angela Rayner, the Housing Secretary and a former carer, publicly opposed the idea, highlighting concerns raised by unions and care organizations about the sector’s heavy reliance on international workers and the potential exacerbation of staff shortages.
During a recent speech on social care reform, Mr. Burnham paid tribute to foreign care workers, particularly those caring for his father who has Alzheimer’s. He emphasized the invaluable contributions of overseas caregivers and expressed his commitment to ensuring fairness in the rules for those who have made a significant commitment to the country.
Addressing questions about the possibility of applying the rules retrospectively, Mr. Burnham acknowledged the complexities surrounding sponsorship issues faced by overseas care workers and the concerns related to indefinite leave to remain. He emphasized the need for a balanced approach to immigration that manages access to public services while recognizing the contributions individuals make to the country.
While supporting Ms. Mahmood’s immigration reforms, the Prime Minister has retained her in her position following a Cabinet reshuffle. The Home Office has been consulting on potential transitional arrangements for individuals already residing in the UK, with a decision expected in the autumn.