Hundreds of thousands of care workers could be exempted from the home secretary's plans to toughen up the immigration system under proposals reportedly being considered by Andy Burnham, according to the Guardian.
Key facts
- Andy Burnham is thought to be considering waiving stricter right to remain rules for people already working in the care sector, according to the Guardian.
- The proposals could exempt hundreds of thousands of existing care workers from tougher immigration measures.
- The move is aimed at relieving pressure on the social care sector.
- The prime minister is due to give a speech next week on his determination to create a National Care Service before the next general election.
- The National Care Service process was set up by the prime minister's predecessor, Keir Starmer.
Hundreds of thousands of care workers could be exempted from the home secretary’s plans to toughen up the immigration system, under proposals being considered by Andy Burnham, according to an exclusive report by the Guardian.
Burnham is thought to be weighing whether to waive stricter right to remain rules for people already working in the social care sector, the Guardian reports. The reported aim is to relieve pressure on the sector.
The consideration comes as the government pursues a broader tightening of the immigration system led by the home secretary. Exempting existing care staff would carve out a significant group from those stricter measures.
The Guardian reports that the prime minister will give a speech next week spelling out his determination to start creating a National Care Service before the next general election. The plan is framed as an effort to accelerate work already under way in the sector.
The National Care Service process was set up by the prime minister’s predecessor, Keir Starmer, according to the report. The current focus is described as speeding up that process ahead of the next national vote.
The proposals remain under consideration and have not been confirmed as final policy.
Why it matters
Any exemption from tougher immigration rules for existing care workers could affect staffing in the social care sector. The reported move also signals how the government is trying to balance stricter immigration policy with its ambition to build a National Care Service.
Frequently asked questions
Who is considering exempting care workers from the new immigration rules?
According to the Guardian, Andy Burnham is thought to be considering waiving stricter right to remain rules for people already working in the care sector.
How many workers could be affected?
The Guardian reports that hundreds of thousands of care workers could be exempted from the plans to toughen up the immigration system.
What is the prime minister planning to announce?
The Guardian reports the prime minister will give a speech next week setting out his determination to start creating a National Care Service before the next general election, accelerating a process set up by his predecessor, Keir Starmer.