'Shabana Mahmood's new immigration rules have cruel catch for carers who we cannot take for granted'

'Shabana Mahmood's new immigration rules have cruel catch for carers who we cannot take for granted' To qualify for settlement after five years, care workers must earn at least £25,000 annually. Someone working a standard week on the minimum wage falls just £215 short. They look after us as well as our parents, hold the hands of the dying and give dignity to people in their darkest hours. Yet Britain was preparing to make thousands of migrant care workers wait 15 years before they could call this country home. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has now abandoned that proposal following fierce opposition. It is a welcome recognition of the contribution these workers, who often endure exhausting shifts for minimum wage, make to Britain. But there remains a cruel catch for those keeping our struggling care system on its feet. To qualify for settlement after five years, care workers must earn at least £25,000 annually. Someone working a standard week on the minimum wage falls just £215 short. That means thousands could face another five years of uncertainty simply because their employers pay them so little. Britain cannot afford to take these dedicated workers for granted. They have cared for our loved ones with compassion and dignity. They deserve to be treated with exactly the same. Line of inquiry More than 750 officers have been barred from policing this year for misconduct including rape and child sex abuse. These are appalling offences committed by people entrusted to protect us. How many warning signs were missed? How many complaints were ignored? And how many victims suffered because colleagues or senior officers failed to act? The barred list is a welcome step towards greater accountability, particularly for officers who resign before investigations conclude. But it raises another troubling question. If 757 officers have been exposed in one year, how many more are still serving? Sleeping better A good night’s sleep could do wonders for your health. Scientists say regular bedtimes could help reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes. So next time someone calls you boring for going to bed early, tell them it’s doctor’s orders.