Care workers to be allowed to settle in UK faster under Mahmood’s watered-down plans

Care workers to be allowed to settle in UK faster under Mahmood’s watered-down plans Those who arrive on a small boat will have to wait up to 30 years to settle permanently in the UK - Bookmark - CommentsGo to comments Become an Independent member to bookmark this article Already a member? Log in Care workers will be exempt from stringent new rules that will require foreign workers to wait 10 years for permanent settlement in Britain. The plans, first proposed in November, will double the qualifying period for settlement for most migrants from five years to a decade. But the home secretary has now watered down the controversial crackdown, following a backlash from senior Labour figures. She announced on Monday that foreign care workers who earn at least £25,000 a year will have to wait five years for permanent settlement, backtracking on her plans to make them wait 15 years. Those who arrive on a small boat will have to wait 20 years for settlement, rising to 30 years if they do not enter work or study, in what the government says is a bid to encourage people to come to the UK on safe and legal routes. The announcement follows months of behind-the-scenes wrangling after senior Labour figures spoke out against the crackdown. Shabana Mahmood said the move would create a system that was “fair” as she warned that the right to settle in the UK must be “earned”. She said care workers who came to the UK in the wake of the pandemic can settle after 5 years – if they have met visa conditions and earned at least £25,000 a year. The initial plans came under heavy criticism from Labour MPs who are now ministers in Burnham’s government. Angela Rayner called retrospective changes “un-British” before she rejoined the cabinet this summer. Miatta Fahnbulleh, the energy secretary, said in September they would have been “tough” for her own family, who came to the UK as refugees. Prime minister Andy Burnham said Ms Mahmood had his “full support”. He added: “People want to see an immigration system based on control, contribution, and which rewards those who play by the rules. “These proposals are based on that principle and recognise the contribution made by overseas workers to our country.” But Labour grandee Diane Abbott hit out at the changes, which she said “still seem to be unfair because you can come in legally, you can work legally, and then have residency rights turned upside down. How can that be fair?” More than 200,000 responses were submitted to the consultation on Ms Mahmood’s initial proposals. More follows on this breaking news story. Subscribe here to get the latest updates from The Independent Join our commenting forum Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies Comments