Providers Unite, a nationwide coalition representing care and support providers, has submitted a petition with over 32,000 signatures to the UK Chancellor, raising serious concerns about recent immigration policy changes affecting healthcare workers.
The Treasury has confirmed receipt of the correspondence, according to the advocacy group.
Voices from the Sector
Katrina Hall, co-founder of Providers Unite, thanked supporters in a LinkedIn post:
- “We’ve now had confirmation that our letter to the Chancellor has been successfully received. The final signature count stands at 32,378 in just 12 days.
- Care providers. Care workers. Associations. MPs. Nurses. Doctors. Businesses—one letter! One message! One united sector.
- This shows what happens when people come together and refuse to stay quiet.
- A massive thank you to everyone who signed, shared, and supported this collective effort. You should all be proud.
- I’ll keep you updated as soon as we hear more. For now, recognise the power of this movement—this is what unity looks like.”
Proposed Extended Settlement Timeline
The petition responds to government proposals outlined in “A Fairer Pathway to Settlement”, which would:
- Extend the period before Health and Care Worker visa holders in lower-paid roles can apply for indefinite leave to remain from 5 years to 15 years.
- Introduce higher salary thresholds and new restrictions on overseas recruitment for care roles.
- Take effect starting July 2025.
These changes represent a significant shift in UK immigration policy and have raised concerns across the social care sector.
Sector Concerns About Workforce Planning
Providers Unite has criticised the proposals, warning they could create staffing challenges across care homes and support services.
During a seminar on 12 December, hosted by Nadra Ahmed and Katrina Hall:
- Care home operators and organisations shared concerns about operational challenges.
- International recruitment restrictions were a key topic.
- Attendees highlighted potential workforce gaps and uncertainty over maintaining adequate staffing levels.
While the government says the reforms aim to create a more sustainable immigration system, industry representatives continue to call for reconsideration, citing potential negative impacts on care delivery.
