Families of nurses and carers have expressed fears of being torn apart by a new UK immigration crackdown, which critics have labelled “an act of economic vandalism.”
A survey of over 1,000 respondents, many of whom moved to the UK for work or study, revealed that three in five worry about being separated from relatives. Two-thirds said they now feel less welcome in the UK as a result of proposals introduced by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, with more than half indicating they are less likely to remain in the country, according to charity Praxis.
The government plans to double the time it takes most migrant workers to qualify for permanent residence, from five years to ten. For those in roles below graduate level – including many care workers – this period could extend to 15 years.
Praxis surveyed 1,072 people likely to be affected. Nearly half were on work visas, with one in three employed in health and social care, one in ten in education, and 15% in IT. Around one in seven were on family visas, and 12% were Hongkongers who moved to the UK after China imposed its national security law in 2020.
Minnie Rahman, Praxis CEO, commented:
“Our findings show these proposals are another act of economic vandalism. Migrants provide vital skills to key sectors of our economy – almost half of our respondents work in critical areas such as the NHS, social care, and IT. The government needs to stop penalising migrant communities and acknowledge this reality.”
Research from the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) suggests that over 300,000 children currently living in the UK could face a 10-year wait for settled status under the changes. Nursing leaders warn that up to 50,000 nurses might leave the UK, potentially triggering the NHS’s largest workforce crisis in history.
Zayne, an 18-year-old aspiring doctor who took part in the survey, said:
“My mother cries every day because our future feels like it’s been pulled away overnight. My dad is an NHS doctor and chose the UK for stability, giving up higher-paying jobs abroad, selling our home and car, and spending thousands to follow the rules – only to be told the rules changed just a month before we qualify.”
The IPPR estimates that 1.7 million people in the UK on settlement routes could face an additional five-year wait for indefinite leave to remain. Praxis notes that a 10-year route to settlement currently costs nearly £20,000 per adult.
Healthcare worker Fisayo, who moved to the UK in 2009 as a highly skilled worker, said:
“I’ve paid taxes, raised my children, and contributed to the economy, yet instability has pushed us towards poverty. I’m stuck in low-paid work, renewing my status every 30 months, and have even relied on food banks to cover visa fees. These policies don’t just punish parents – they trap children in insecurity and hardship.”
Around 40 Labour MPs have criticised the proposals, calling the retrospective changes “un-British” and a clear case of “moving the goalposts.”
A Home Office spokesperson said:
“The home secretary has set out plans for the biggest legal migration reforms in 50 years. Settling in the UK is a privilege, not a right, and must be earned. We are reforming a broken system to prioritise contribution and integration and are taking necessary action to restore order.”
LawSentis’ perspective:
LawSentis believes that these proposed immigration changes could have profound social and economic consequences, particularly for families and skilled professionals already contributing to the UK. The firm emphasises the importance of stability and predictability in immigration rules and encourages affected individuals to seek expert advice to navigate the evolving landscape.
News Source: The Guardian