Government Immigration Plans Risk Massive Nurse Exodus
The National Health Service faces its most severe workforce crisis ever as new research suggests up to 50,000 nurses could leave the UK over proposed immigration changes. The Royal College of Nursing has warned that these measures would be dangerous for patient safety and threaten to derail efforts to reduce NHS waiting times.
Survey Reveals Widespread Distress Among Migrant Nurses
A survey conducted by the Royal College of Nursing, seen exclusively by the Guardian, reveals that the government's immigration proposals have caused profound distress among foreign NHS and social care staff. The research indicates that 60% of migrant nursing staff without indefinite leave to remain said the shake-up was very likely to affect their plans to stay in the UK.
With more than 200,000 internationally educated nursing staff representing about 25% of the UK's total nursing workforce of 794,000, the potential impact of these changes cannot be overstated. According to government figures, 76,876 nurses have gained visas since 2021 and would currently be entitled to settled status after five years.
Proposed Changes and Their Consequences
The controversial plans, part of Keir Starmer's vow to curb net migration, would force migrants to wait as long as 10 years to apply for settled status instead of the current five-year pathway. The measures also include raising foreign workers' skills requirements to degree level and increasing English language standards for all visa types, including dependents.
Professor Nicola Ranger, General Secretary and Chief Executive of the RCN, condemned the proposals as immoral and dangerous. She stated: "These proposals are not just immoral, they would be dangerous for our patients. No minister who has any interest in the success of our health and social care system would press ahead with extending the qualifying period for indefinite leave to remain."
Ranger emphasized that the plans represent a betrayal of migrant nursing staff, many of whom came to the UK during the COVID-19 pandemic at great personal sacrifice. Without indefinite leave to remain, migrant nursing staff face significant restrictions, including being tied to their employers through their visas, which has previously led to exploitation in the social care system.
The financial implications are equally severe. Migrant staff would be unable to access state support such as child benefit and disability payments for a decade, despite paying UK taxes throughout their employment. The RCN survey found that 53% of respondents were extremely concerned about their financial security, while 52% worried about the toll on their family.
Perhaps most alarmingly for future NHS staffing, the survey suggests these changes would dramatically reduce the pool of foreign workers willing to come to the UK. Only 11% of respondents said they would have migrated had the route to settlement been ten years instead of five.
The Royal College of Nursing is calling on the government to abandon these proposals and also reduce the application fees for indefinite leave to remain, which currently stand at £3,029 per person despite an estimated processing cost of just £523.
A government spokesperson responded: "We are grateful to our overseas frontline healthcare workers, who bring compassion, deliver high-quality care and strengthen our health service, but net migration must come down." The Home Office plans to launch a consultation shortly and encourages health and care workers to participate.
