Arabic version: راينر تنتقد التغييرات المقترحة على قواعد تأشيرات عمال الرعاية

Former Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has voiced strong opposition to proposed changes in visa rules for care workers already residing in the UK. According to BBC News, Rayner described the potential extension of the wait for permanent residency from five to 15 years as “the wrong thing to do” and “un-British.”

Rayner emphasized that controlling borders is distinct from making retrospective changes that affect those who have established their lives in the UK. The UK government has been consulting on immigration rule changes, but a final decision regarding the residency status of these migrant workers has yet to be announced.

A government spokesperson reiterated that the path to settlement would double from five to 10 years for most migrants, with specific provisions for care workers potentially facing a 15-year wait. This spokesperson noted the need to address the high levels of migration while maintaining that the privilege of indefinite residency should not be automatic.

At a recent rally organized by the public service union Unison, Rayner highlighted the contributions of care workers during the pandemic and insisted that no retrospective rule changes should apply to those who have followed the regulations and contributed to society. She called for better wages for care workers and criticized tying visas to specific employers, which she believes fosters exploitation.

Rayner’s concerns echo sentiments expressed by other Labour MPs who have labeled the proposed changes as “un-British” and detrimental to the care sector. As discussions continue, she remains a vocal advocate for the rights and dignity of care workers in the UK.