27/05/2026
๐๐๐ฐ ๐๐๐ฉ๐จ๐ซ๐ญ ๐๐ฑ๐ฉ๐จ๐ฌ๐๐ฌ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐ฎ๐ฆ๐๐ง ๐๐จ๐ฌ๐ญ ๐จ๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐ญ๐ญ๐ฅ๐๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐๐๐๐จ๐ซ๐ฆ๐ฌ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐๐ข๐ ๐ซ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐๐๐ซ๐ ๐๐จ๐ซ๐ค๐๐ซ๐ฌ
๐๐ค๐ซ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐ฉ๐๐ ๐๐ค๐๐ก๐ฅ๐ค๐จ๐ฉ๐จ ๐๐จ ๐ฅ๐ช๐๐ก๐๐จ๐๐๐ ๐๐ฎ ๐๐ช๐ก๐๐ ๐๐ง๐ค๐ช๐ฅ ๐พ๐๐พ ๐๐ฃ๐ ๐๐จ ๐๐ซ๐๐๐ก๐๐๐ก๐ ๐๐ฉhttps://static1.squarespace.com/static/6166eeafdabeb40ce4567276/t/6a16d9d7de96154ab64e61df/1779882455779/Impact+of+Proposed+UK+Settlement+Reforms+On+Migrant+Care+Workers.pdf
A new report published today, 27th May by Tulia Group sets out the likely impact of the UK Governmentโs proposed settlement reforms on migrant care workers and their families. The findings show that workers who are already in difficult conditions fear that longer routes to settlement will make things worse, not better.
The report, Moving the Goalposts, is based on a survey of migrant care workers and their household members, as well as seven focus group discussions held between November and December 2025.
๐บThe launch event
The report was launched at a public event that brought together migrant workers, campaigners, researchers, and community voices to discuss the evidence and share personal experiences.
Rumbidzai Bvunzawabaya, Founder and CEO of Tulia Group CIC, opened the event by speaking about the organisationโs work supporting migrants across the UK. She described how Tulia Group provides legal advice, advocacy, and education for migrants facing uncertainty in the immigration system, and emphasised their commitment to making sure migrant voices are heard in policy discussions.
Dr Hilary Musarurwa, who led the analysis of the report, presented the key findings. She described a care sector where workers are increasingly tied to their employers because of their visa status, leaving them with little freedom to move jobs, challenge poor treatment, or plan for the future.
๐บTrapped at work
Nearly three quarters of survey respondents 72.9% said they had at some point felt unable to leave a workplace because of visa risks. A further 87% said changing employer was difficult or very difficult. More than half reported receiving threats related to their sponsorship, and a similar number said they had struggled to get references when trying to move to a different job.
Workers described what this feels like in practice. โWhen you want to question certain things, it is your sponsorship at stake. So you do not question,โ one focus group participant said.
The report makes clear that extending the settlement period without fixing this problem would simply mean more years under the same conditions.
๐บFamilies pulled apart
The impact on family life was one of the most urgent issues raised at the launch. Over 91% of respondents expected a greater risk of family separation under the proposed changes. Nearly all 95.5% said the reforms would make family life harder.
Participants described children growing too old to remain as dependants before a parent reaches settlement, and families being forced to choose between staying apart or giving up their lives in the UK.
โThe 15 years itโs prolonged separation from my daughter. My daughterโs six. By the time I get to 15 years, my daughter will be 21,โ one participant said.
๐บA broken promise
The strongest feeling throughout the report and the launch event was a sense of betrayal. Workers came to the UK under a clear understanding that settlement would be possible after five years. Changing those terms now after they have already worked, paid taxes, and arranged family life around that expectation feels deeply unfair.
Every single respondent said people already in the UK should keep the original five year route. As one participant put it, โThey needed us. They opened their borders and we offered to come and help. And now when we are here, everything changes. Itโs just a huge betrayal.โ
๐บA sector under pressure
The report also raises serious concerns for the care sector as a whole. If the settlement route became ten to fifteen years, only 36% of respondents said they would be likely to stay in health and social care. Nearly 70% said they would consider leaving the UK entirely. At a time when the care sector is already short of staff, this is a warning policymakers cannot afford to ignore.
๐บWhat workers are calling for
Speakers at the launch were clear that workers are not opposed to all change. Many said they would accept reasonable conditions including restricted access to benefits after settlement as long as the original five year pathway is protected for those already here.
โWe are not applying for settlement in order to get benefits,โ one participant said. โWe are applying for settlement to have choices.โ
๐บThe report sets out six key recommendations for the Government
Guarantee full transitional protection for people already in the UK. Treat family settlement as a core issue, not an afterthought. Reduce workersโ dependence on individual employers. Introduce a bridging status for workers leaving exploitative sponsors. Focus enforcement where workers are most at risk. Communicate any future changes clearly and honestly.
๐บA final message
The launch event ended with a reminder that behind every statistic is a person. Migrant care workers are carers, parents, skilled professionals, and members of our communities. They came to the UK legally, filled critical gaps in an essential service, and built their lives here in good faith.
ยฉ 2026 ๐๐ข๐ค๐ฉ๐ช๐ฏ๐ต๐ฉ๐ข ๐๐ฆ๐ต๐ต๐ช ๐๐ฉ๐ข๐ฏ๐ต๐ฉ๐ช๐ณ๐ช - ๐๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ฎ๐ถ๐ฏ๐ช๐ต๐บ ๐๐ฐ๐ช๐ค๐ฆ ๐๐ญ๐ญ ๐ณ๐ช๐จ๐ฉ๐ต๐ด ๐ณ๐ฆ๐ด๐ฆ๐ณ๐ท๐ฆ๐ฅ.
