Home secretary may make migrants wait 10 years for the right to settle in UK
Settlement waits could increase
Mahmood is expected to set out the government’s response to a consultation on Monday. Under the proposals, the standard qualifying period for settlement would rise from five years to 10.
Mahmood is also expected to meet union general secretaries on Monday to discuss final details. Some union leaders have raised concerns about the changes.
MPs warn of workforce impact
A letter to Mahmood and health secretary Yvette Cooper, dated 29 October, was signed by parliamentarians and organisations representing migrant workers, racial equality campaigners and health professionals. The signatories described the proposals as “an iteration of Windrush era policies”.
They urged ministers to abandon the plans or introduce further safeguards. Labour MPs Bell Ribeiro-Addy, Diane Abbott, Clive Lewis and Rachael Maskell signed, as did Green MPs Ellie Chowns, Carla Denyer, Siân Berry and Hannah Spencer. The letter’s supporting organisations include the Work Rights Centre, Action for Race Equality, Care England and the Society of Radiographers.
Safeguards and care services
The signatories say exemptions for some public-service workers may not protect staff at independent health and social care providers. They also warn that workers’ family members could be left out of protections.
They describe health and care as already “dangerously under-staffed” and say the proposals could worsen wellbeing across the UK. The letter highlights adult social care, arguing that international workers are needed to maintain current care levels. The signatories warn that without those workers, services could contract and unmet need could grow.
Key points
- Most legal migrants are expected to face a 10-year wait for settlement.
- Some workers below graduate level could face qualifying periods of up to 15 years.
- MPs and organisations warn the plans could deepen health and social care staff shortages.
- The signatories say exemptions may not cover independent providers or workers’ family members.