Prime Minister Andy Burnham is considering widespread exemptions from Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood’s immigration reforms that would affect hundreds of thousands of care workers in the UK. The exemptions would shield existing care sector employees from planned changes to settled status requirements, though the measure is not expected to be announced in Burnham’s speech scheduled for next week. A public consultation on the proposal is expected to conclude later in the year before any formal implementation.
Burnham is prioritizing social care reform and has announced plans to accelerate Louise Casey’s review of the sector, originally scheduled to conclude in 2028. The prime minister will deliver a personal address explaining his commitment to establishing a National Care Service before the next general election, drawing on his experience with his father’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis. He has previously attempted to reform social care during his tenure as health secretary more than 15 years ago.
The care sector faces significant workforce challenges, with providers reporting financial strain and difficulty meeting contracted service levels. The Home Office has granted approximately 200,000 health and care worker visas over the last five years, with many more arriving as dependants. Mahmood’s proposed changes would double the time required for migrant workers to qualify for indefinite leave to remain, a development unions and sector leaders warn could severely impact service delivery for vulnerable populations.
Burnham is also considering short-term funding solutions, including increased allocations to the £9bn Better Care Fund and introducing free short-term care for patients following hospital discharge to prevent readmissions. The government has indicated willingness to explore additional taxation options for long-term funding as part of Casey’s broader review. Casey’s public consultation is expected to address fundamental questions about care eligibility, family responsibility, and individual cost-sharing.
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