Protect Care Worker's Settlement Rights - Keep or Reduce the 5-Year Route to ILR

Background

Ensure care workers remain eligible for Indefinite Leave to Remain after 5 years and are not included in any proposals to extend settlement to 10 years. Consider introducing a shorter settlement pathway in recognition of their vital role in UK social care.

Additional details

Care workers are essential to the UK’s adult social care system but are among the lowest-paid workers in healthcare. The sector already faces severe staff shortages and relies heavily on international workers. Extending the route to settlement beyond 5 years would create more financial and emotional pressure and may worsen recruitment and retention in the care sector.