Families of nurses, carers and other key workers say they fear being torn apart under proposed UK immigration reforms that critics have branded an act of “economic vandalism”, amid warnings the changes could drive vital workers out of the country and deepen staff shortages in the NHS and social care.
A new survey of more than 1,000 migrants and their relatives found that three in five are worried they could be separated from family members if the government presses ahead with plans to extend the time it takes migrant workers to secure permanent settlement in the UK.
Survey data highlights fear and uncertainty among migrant families
According to research conducted by the charity Praxis, two-thirds of respondents said they now feel less welcome in the UK following proposals set out by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, while more than half said the changes had made them less likely to remain in Britain long term.
The proposals form part of a wider overhaul of immigration rules that has sparked unrest on Labour’s backbenches, with critics arguing the measures risk punishing people already contributing to the UK economy. Ministers have insisted the reforms are needed to restore control of the migration system, amid political pressure from the rise of Nigel Farage’s Reform UK.
Under the plans, most migrant workers would see the qualifying period for permanent residence doubled from five years to 10. For those in below-graduate roles — including many care workers — the default route to settlement would be extended to 15 years.
Health and care sectors among hardest hit
Of the 1,072 people surveyed by Praxis, nearly half were on work visas. One in three worked in health and social care, one in 10 in education, and 15% in IT. A further one in seven were on family visas, while 12% were Hong Kong citizens who moved to the UK after China imposed its national security law in 2020.
Minnie Rahman, chief executive of Praxis, said the findings underlined the damage the proposals could inflict on the UK workforce. “Almost half of those who took part in our survey work in critical sectors like the NHS, social care and IT,” she said. “The government needs to stop penalising migrant communities and start reflecting the reality that these workers are essential to the economy.”
Children face prolonged insecurity under extended settlement routes
Concerns have also been raised about the impact on children. Research published this week by the Institute for Public Policy Research suggests more than 300,000 children already living in the UK could be forced to wait a decade for settled status if the rules are applied retrospectively.
The thinktank estimates that around 1.7 million people were on routes to settlement at the end of last year and could now face an additional five-year wait to secure indefinite leave to remain. A 10-year settlement route currently costs close to £20,000 per adult once visa fees and the immigration health surcharge are included, according to Praxis.
NHS workforce crisis fears intensify
Nursing leaders have warned the reforms could trigger an exodus of healthcare professionals, with estimates suggesting as many as 50,000 nurses could leave the UK if the changes go ahead, exacerbating staff shortages across the NHS and social care.
Zayne, an 18-year-old aspiring doctor who responded to the Praxis survey, said his family’s future had been thrown into turmoil. “My dad is an NHS doctor and chose to work in the UK because he believed in the rules and the promise of stability,” he said. “He sold our house and car and gave up better-paid work abroad, only to be told a month before we qualify that the rules have changed.”
Economic strain and rising poverty risks
Other respondents described being pushed towards financial hardship by repeated visa renewals. Fisayo, a healthcare worker who moved to the UK in 2009, said she had paid tax, raised her children and contributed to the economy but remained trapped in insecurity.
“I’m stuck in low-paid work, renewing my status every 30 months,” she said. “At times I’ve had to rely on food banks so I can afford Home Office visa fees. These policies don’t just punish parents — they trap children in insecurity and hardship. This is how child poverty is created.”
Political opposition and government response
Around 40 Labour MPs have publicly criticised the proposals, describing the retrospective element as “un-British” and accusing ministers of “moving the goalposts” for families who made life-changing decisions based on existing rules.
Responding to the criticism, a Home Office spokesperson said the government was pursuing the biggest legal migration reforms in 50 years. “It is a privilege, not a right, to settle in the UK and it must be earned,” the spokesperson said. “We inherited an asylum system under exceptional pressure and are taking necessary action to restore order while prioritising contribution and integration.”