Changing visa rules for care workers is wrong, says Rayner

Former Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has said changing visa rules for migrants already living in the UK would be "the wrong thing to do", repeating her criticism of some of the Labour government's immigration policies.

Rayner told the BBC it would be "un-British" to make care staff already in the UK wait for up to 15 years - rather than the current five - before being allowed to settle permanently.

She said controlling the borders was "completely different" to taking "retrospective action on people who have made a life here".

The UK government has consulted on immigration rule changes and a decision on the permanent residency of migrant workers already living in the UK is yet to be made.

Speaking at a rally organised by the public service union Unison on Wednesday, Rayner said there should be no retrospective rule changes to settlement for care workers "who follow the rules and contribute to our society".

"Care workers helped us through the darkest days of the pandemic," Rayner said. "Care is a system we may all need, and rely upon.

"So I for one won't rest until all those who give and receive care do so with the dignity and respect they deserve."

Rayner first expressed concerns about applying changes to the immigration system retrospectively in March.