Labour’s immigration plans could cost the NHS 46,000 nurses

As many as 46,000 nurses could leave the UK if Labour follows through with a proposal to increase the qualifying period for indefinite leave to remain (ILR) from 5 to 10 years.

The Royal College of Nurses (RCN) has raised the alarm. Their latest research suggests that the Labour government is poised to decimate NHS staffing with reckless immigration policies.

‘Our colleagues deserve clarity’

The nursing organisation stated that these plans would exacerbate the already dire nursing workforce crisis. In turn, this would threaten patient care and cause severe damage to Labour’s NHS reforms. An RCN statement released today explains that:

Without ILR, migrant nursing staff are unable to move easily between jobs with their visas tying them to their employers, which has led to exploitation in the social care system. It also leaves them unable to access state support like child benefit and disability support payments despite paying taxes in the UK and facing greater risk of financial hardship than their UK-trained colleagues, as they are subject to the no recourse to public funds condition.

Many migrant nursing staff came to the UK during the COVID-19 pandemic, performing an invaluable service to this country. However, Labour’s plans would create massive uncertainty about their future, pushing many to seek work elsewhere. Professor Nicola Ranger, RCN General Secretary, said:

This is no way to repay them and amounts to a betrayal. Our international colleagues deserve clarity over their futures, not to be used as political footballs by politicians and left unable to access state support despite working in public services and paying taxes.

Uncertainty and fear

The RCN surveyed over 5,000 migrant nursing staff as part of its research. Just 11% of respondents stated that they would have come to the UK if they knew it would take 10 years to achieve settled status. This suggests that the UK’s ability to attract overseas nurses in the future will drop massively.

Among those who don’t yet have ILR, 60% said the doubling the qualifying period would ‘very likely’ affect their likelihood of staying in the UK.

Given the number of migrant nurses who make up NHS staff, this means that as many as 46,000 highly qualified professionals could leave.

Likewise, 53% of respondents expressed extreme concern about how the extension may impact their financial security. Meanwhile, 52% appear deeply worried about its potential impact on their family life, and 49% fear consequences for their careers.

‘Dangerous for patients’

The government will likely launch its consultation on the proposal by the end of the week. As such, the RCN is calling on the government to scrap the extension. The RCN has urged Labour to offer settled status to nurses as soon as they reach the UK. This alternative system would mirror the provisions in place in Canada and New Zealand.

Furrthermore, the College is also calling on Labour to cut the application fees for indefinite leave to remain. As things stand, the application costs over £3,000 a person — which is roughly five times the actual cost of processing.

Ranger said:

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 ILR.

If the government continues to show nursing staff they aren’t welcome here, they shouldn’t be surprised when they decide to leave. The proposed changes to the UK’s immigration system make their reforms to the NHS less likely to succeed and don’t serve the interest of our patients or nursing staff.

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