The United Kingdom has scrapped plans to make some migrant care workers already living in the country wait 15 years before qualifying for permanent settlement, following criticism from Labour MPs and a public consultation.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood announced revised plans in the House of Commons on Monday, November 2, allowing eligible care workers to retain a five-year route to permanent settlement.
Under the revised proposals, the standard qualifying period for migrants seeking permanent settlement will increase from five to 10 years.
However, care workers who earn at least £25,000 annually, comply with their visa conditions and arrived in the UK before May 2025 will qualify under the shorter five-year route.
Mahmood also outlined stricter conditions for migrants who have claimed benefits or breached immigration rules, saying they would have to wait 20 years before qualifying for settlement.
The proposals also introduce tougher rules for migrants who enter the UK through small boats. Those who subsequently enter employment or education will face a 20-year wait for settlement, while those who do neither will have to wait 30 years.
Speaking in Parliament, Mahmood said the government’s policies were “guided above all by fairness”.
However, Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp described the announcement as a “U-turn” and warned that the proposals could cost taxpayers £10 billion.
The revised plans follow opposition to the government’s earlier proposals, particularly from some Labour MPs who raised concerns about the impact on migrant workers.
