Angela Rayner has reiterated her opposition to Home Office proposals that would make it harder for foreign care workers and other low‑paid migrants to obtain settled status, describing the changes as "disruptive" and saying the department had effectively "moved the goalposts".
The reforms were set out last year by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood and would require migrants employed in jobs below graduate level to be resident in the UK for 15 years before they can apply for permanent settlement. Critics say the changes will lengthen the route to settlement for many workers; supporters have framed them as part of a tougher approach to immigration rules.
Rayner, who has previously labelled the package "un‑British", reiterated her criticism ahead of the Labour party conference, where immigration and public services are expected to feature in debate. Her comments underscore the prominence of settlement rules in ongoing discussions about migration and workforce policy.
The dispute draws attention to differences over immigration policy within government circles and between departments responsible for migration and for public services that depend on migrant labour. The Home Office proposal to extend the residence requirement has prompted scrutiny from politicians across the spectrum as the parties prepare for conference season.
Labour figures have previously said they will scrutinise the implications of the settlement changes for sectors such as social care, where many roles are filled by overseas workers. Rayner’s renewed objections signal that the issue is likely to remain a flashpoint in party discussions in the coming weeks.