Angela Rayner has branded government plans to make care workers wait up to 15 years for permanent residency as “un-British”, escalating a bitter internal Labour row over immigration policy.
The former deputy prime minister told the BBC it would be “the wrong thing to do” to change visa rules retrospectively for migrants already living in the UK. She said controlling borders was “completely different” to taking “retrospective action on people who have made a life here”.
“Angela Rayner says changing visa rules for care workers already in UK would be 'un-British'.”
Her intervention came as ministers consulted on proposals that would double the standard settlement period from five to 10 years. For health and social care visa holders, the wait could stretch to 15 years; those claiming benefits for more than 12 months would face 20 years. Settlement – indefinite leave to remain – grants the right to live, work, study and claim benefits in the UK.
A government spokesperson insisted the “route to settlement will double from five to 10 years”, adding: “We will always welcome those that come to this country and contribute to our national life. But the privilege of living here forever should be earned, not automatic.” The spokesperson cited “historically high levels of migration” and said the government “must be honest about the scale and impact of hundreds of thousands of low-skilled migrants getting settlement”.
Rayner, speaking at a rally organised by the public service union Unison on Wednesday, said there should be no retrospective rule changes for care workers “who follow the rules and contribute to our society”. She evoked the pandemic, saying: “Care workers helped us through the darkest days of the pandemic. Care is a system we may all need, and rely upon. So I for one won’t rest until all those who give and receive care do so with the dignity and respect they deserve.”
The row first flared in March when Rayner voiced concerns. At the time, Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham said he understood where she was “coming from” and that the party “would do well to listen”. But by the start of the Makerfield by-election campaign, Burnham said he agreed with the “broad thrust” of Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood’s approach. Mahmood has defended the plans, arguing the system must be fair.
The government has yet to make a final decision on the consultation, leaving care workers in limbo – and deepening a rift between Labour’s left and the leadership over how to balance compassion with control.