Government faces backlash over retrospective care worker visa changes

The government is facing a backlash over retrospective changes to care worker visa contracts. Critics say people who came to the UK on sponsorship deals have rights and should not have their terms changed after they have arrived. The row is said to be causing angst across the party and is described by opponents as a breach of contract.

In a broadcast discussion, one speaker said workers in the care sector are 'workers as well' and 'have rights too'. The same speaker argued that if people are brought in on a contract, the contract should be honoured. Changing the terms while they are here was called wrong. The workers would be 'completely gutted', and they were described as good, decent people who had come to look after us.

A former care minister, who said she introduced the visa when there were 15-hour queues outside A&E and ambulance queues around the country, said people should be grateful to these workers. She said it is very difficult to change rules retrospectively and that it should not be done. But she argued that Shabana is trying to put deterrence in the system because of the numbers of people attracted to the asylum system and an industry of people helping them. She also said Shabana is only talking about people who come through legal routes. Another speaker noted that there is no such thing as an illegal asylum seeker.

The discussion noted that care workers came on visas and had sponsorship signed up to the deal. They were told to come, give up their lives, set up their homes and bring their children and families. That group is a specific number, while the policy may be broader. The row was also placed in a wider political context. Andy Burnham has so far avoided a decision that could split his cabinet or party, but he now faces Rosebank, immigration and welfare. The budget is due next Wednesday.