“It’s clear that trebling the time it takes to settle would make the social care crisis a whole lot worse.”
By UNISON
Hundreds of international care workers converged on Westminster recently, urging the government to abandon “cruel” visa change plans likely to worsen staffing shortages and put vital services at risk. Many took their case directly to Downing Street in a delegation led by General Secretary Andrea Egan as they handed a letter to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer highlighting the devastating impact the changes will have on them and the people they look after.
The letter to Sir Keir, signed by Andrea and staff on health and social care visas affected by the proposals, emphasises the “vital, sensitive and demanding work” they carry out each day.
They call on the PM to halt plans that would make care workers wait 15 years to qualify to settle in the UK, instead of the current five years.
International staff have become an indispensable part of a sector that already faces around 111,000 vacancies in England alone. Making it harder for them to make their home in the UK will undermine the continuity of care for vulnerable people.
The letter points out insecure work, low pay, and threats are rife for the workers, who were recruited to help tackle chronic staffing shortages in social care on the promise of being able to settle after five years.
It goes on to say: “Policies that make it harder to recruit and retain care workers ultimately affect the quality and availability of care”.
The workers, who have led our Fair Visa Campaign, also lobbied their MPs in Parliament. They want the government to make changes to the visa sponsorship scheme to clamp down on widespread exploitation.
UNISON general secretary Andrea Egan said: “Addressing the challenges facing migrant care workers is essential to improving social care in the UK. It’s clear that trebling the time it takes to settle would make the social care crisis a whole lot worse.
“Far too many people are stuck in hospital because there isn’t the capacity to arrange the care they need to leave. That puts pressure on the NHS, causes heartbreak for families and leaves vulnerable people stranded.
“This is a cruel policy that goes against British values. Staff were recruited to fill critical gaps in the workforce on the basis that they could settle here after five years.
“It’s an outrage to change the rules after they’ve arrived and have devoted themselves to this essential work.
“The five-year route must remain, and the power of visa sponsorship must be removed from employers. Taking care of carers means fewer people will suffer alone.”
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- This article was originally published by UNISON on 10 June 2026.
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