Angela Rayner, the housing secretary, has defended her criticism of proposed Home Office reforms that would make it harder for foreign care workers to claim permanent residence in the UK. She called the changes “disruptive,” arguing they would unfairly penalize those who have moved to the UK to care for vulnerable people. The policy, announced by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood, would require low-paid migrant workers in jobs below graduate level to stay in the UK for 15 years before being eligible for settlement. Rayner, a former care worker who left school at 16, previously described the plan as “un-British” and has been a vocal opponent of the reforms. The policy was developed under the previous prime minister, Keir Starmer, in response to public concerns about net migration. Current Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who took over in July, is said to be uncertain about some aspects of the proposals and is considering exemptions for those already living in the UK. Over 100 Labour MPs and many trade unions have also opposed the reforms. Rayner hinted at potential tension within the cabinet ahead of Burnham’s first Labour conference as leader, stating that the changes would unfairly target care workers who have “moved their lives here to look after our loved ones.” Rayner, who was forced to resign as deputy prime minister last year over a dispute involving unpaid stamp duty on a property in Hove, has consistently criticized the policy. In an interview with the Times, she said that asking care workers to come to the UK to support the most vulnerable, only to change the rules years later, was “very disruptive.” She emphasized the dedication of those who have moved their lives to care for others, arguing that the policy fails to recognize their contributions. The policy is still under review, with government officials considering responses to a consultation on the issue. Approximately 180,000 foreign care workers arrived in the UK between 2022 and 2024, mostly under previous Conservative governments. Without a change in the law, many of these workers will qualify for permanent residency in 2027. Last year, the Labour government introduced restrictions on the recruitment of foreign care workers and limited their ability to bring family members to the UK. Some MPs, including Rachael Maskell, have suggested that the policy may be adjusted to avoid applying retroactively to those already working in the UK. Rayner added that she believes Mahmood is aware of her position on the proposals and that the government must be mindful of the reasons people relocate to the UK.