Labour in crisis as major union rages over huge migration crackdown

A UNISON boss slammed Labour ahead of its Immigration White Paper reveal today, claiming the “hostile language” is deterring overseas workers from coming to the UK. Sir Keir Starmer today outlined his new immigration plans, aimed at closing loopholes and tightening up the system. In a Downing Street speech, the Prime Minister said the Labour Government will "take back control of our borders" and close the book on a "squalid chapter" for politics and the economy.

However, the general secretary of the union, Christina McAnea, condemned the publication before its release, explaining that the public sector relies on immigrants. She said: “The NHS and the care sector would have collapsed long ago without the thousands of workers who’ve come to the UK from overseas.

“Migrant health and care staff already here will now be understandably anxious about what’s to happen to them. The government must reassure these overseas workers they’ll be allowed to stay and continue with their indispensable work.”

The union boss added that “care workers” outside of the UK will “no longer” want to come due to the “hostile language” used in Britain towards migrants. Ms McAnea also said the ban on bringing dependents to the UK, as well as "exploitation" by employers, has caused the decline in visa applications.

“The way overseas care workers have been treated by some corrupt care bosses is shameful. Ministers must crack down on those breaking the law and remove visa sponsorship from all care employers,” she said.

The White Paper comes after net migration reached nearly one million in the year ending June 2023 - four times the levels seen in 2019. The rules are intended to reduce reliance on overseas recruitment, prioritise those who contribute to Britain’s economy and put more money in the pockets of working people.

The policy change will include migrants being required to live in the UK for a decade before they can apply for citizenship, up from five years.

There will also be new English language requirements across every visa route, which will extend to adult dependents for the first time.

Ms McAnea is urging Labour to follow through with its fair pay agreement, ensuring that social care is properly funded.

She said: “So long as care wages stay barely above the legal minimum, employers will never be able to recruit the staff needed to deliver a national care service of which we can all be proud.”