Shabana Mahmood's New UK Settlement Rules Could Make Migrants Wait 15 Years, MPs Warn of Care Staff Shortages

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood is set to announce sweeping new rules on Monday that will extend the waiting period for settlement—indefinite leave to remain—for most legal migrants in the UK to 10 years, with some, including care workers, facing waits of up to 15 years. The changes have drawn criticism from MPs and even cabinet colleagues like Housing Secretary Angela Rayner, who fear the policy will exacerbate staff shortages in health and social care, a sector heavily reliant on migrant workers. Critics also warn of a potential 'second Windrush scandal,' where long-term residents could be denied permanent status and face uncertainty. The move is part of the government's broader effort to reduce net migration, but it raises urgent questions about the balance between immigration control and the needs of an ageing population. As the rules come into force, care providers and migrant communities will be watching closely to see if exemptions or transitional measures are introduced to mitigate the impact on essential public services.