Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is expected to set out the final version of plans to tighten the route to indefinite leave to remain (ILR) in the UK after 3.30pm. The proposals would extend the standard qualifying period for many foreign workers from five to 10 years, with care workers originally facing a 15-year wait.
The measures are expected to apply not only to new arrivals but also to foreign workers already in the country. Although the government has indicated some kind of concession for care workers, the wider plan is reportedly being retained and could affect hundreds of thousands of people.
Mahmood’s plans have faced opposition from unions and concern among Labour MPs. Andrea Egan, general secretary of Unison, has criticised the proposal affecting care workers and is due to meet the home secretary alongside other union leaders.
A Nigerian care worker named Kolade, whom Egan had wanted to bring to an earlier meeting with Mahmood, said the immigration debate often ignored the experiences of people whose lives could be affected by the rules. He rejected the description of migrant care workers as a burden, arguing that they support British families and contribute to the country.
The announcement comes as net migration has reportedly fallen sharply. Andy Burnham, speaking in an ITV documentary due to air tomorrow, declined to say that legal migration remained too high. He said it had “come right down” and argued that planned migration should respond to gaps in the economy.
Burnham said small-boat crossings were “too high, for certain”, but did not say legal migration needed to fall further. His position contrasts with the argument Mahmood made last year, when she said stricter controls were needed for lower-qualified workers and their dependants who had entered through the health and care visa route.
The home secretary will not need primary legislation to introduce the ILR changes, meaning MPs will not be able to amend the measures in the Commons. However, more than 100 Labour MPs have reportedly expressed concern about the proposals.
The government’s announcement is scheduled to follow a Commons session in which Housing Secretary Angela Rayner will take questions. Burnham is due to travel to Antigua for the Commonwealth summit later in the day.
Sources: The Guardian World.