Mahmood waters down migration rules for care workers in £10bn gamble
Home secretary Shabana Mahmood has watered down migration rules for care workers after backlash from Labour MPs, although high earners will benefit from faster routes to settlement in the UK. The home secretary confirmed plans to allow some entrepreneurs, scientists and workers earning above £125,141 a year to be granted settled status rights after three [...]
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has relaxed migration rules for care workers in a £10bn gamble, after facing criticism from Labour MPs. The government will now allow some high earners, scientists, and workers earning over £125,141 per year to gain settled status rights after just three years of residence in the UK. However, care workers earning at least £25,000 annually will now be granted indefinite leave to remain (ILR) with their dependents after five years in the UK, a significant change from previous proposals that would have required ten years of residency.
This decision was made after a year-long consultation with over 200,000 entries. Mahmood emphasized that her move aimed to strike a balance between tackling visa abuse and recognizing the vital service provided by care workers during the pandemic. The decision has drawn criticism from Labour MPs, who argue that the change could strain public services and cost taxpayers nearly £10bn.
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