Former Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has renewed her criticism of Labour’s proposed immigration reforms, warning that extending settlement waiting periods for migrants already living and working in the UK would be unfair and contrary to British values.
Speaking at a rally organised by public service union Unison, Rayner said it would be “un British” to change the rules for care workers and other migrants who arrived legally, built lives in the country and contributed to society under existing immigration arrangements.
Her comments come as the Labour government considers sweeping changes to the immigration system aimed at reducing long term migration. Under proposals currently being reviewed, the standard route to indefinite leave to remain could be extended from five years to ten years. Health and social care workers could face a wait of up to 15 years before qualifying for permanent residency, while some migrants who receive benefits may have to wait as long as 20 years.
Settlement, also known as indefinite leave to remain, allows migrants to live, work and study in the UK without time restrictions and can provide a pathway to British citizenship.
The proposed reforms are part of Labour’s broader effort to respond to public concerns over migration. According to official figures from the UK’s Office for National Statistics, net migration reached record levels in recent years, peaking at more than 900,000 in 2023 before beginning to decline. Ministers argue that tougher settlement requirements are necessary to restore confidence in the immigration system.
However, the plans have sparked growing opposition within Labour ranks. Several MPs and regional leaders have accused the government of “moving the goalposts” for migrants who arrived under existing rules. Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has previously expressed sympathy for Rayner’s concerns.
Rayner drew particular attention to care workers, many of whom were recruited from overseas to fill severe staff shortages in the UK’s social care sector. During the Covid 19 pandemic, migrant care workers played a vital role in supporting vulnerable people and helping the health system cope with unprecedented pressures.
While backing stronger border controls, Rayner insisted that legal migrants who have followed the rules should not be punished retrospectively. She also called for better pay for care workers and an end to visa arrangements that tie employees to specific employers, warning that such systems can leave workers vulnerable to exploitation.
The government maintains that settlement should be earned rather than automatic, but the debate has exposed growing tensions within Labour over how far immigration reforms should go.
