Angela Rayner criticises worker visa plans on eve of Labour conference - BBC News
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Housing Secretary Angela Rayner's Concerns
In an interview with the Times, external ahead of Labour's annual conference, Rayner questioned Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood's plans, saying they are unfair because they "change the goalposts".
Under the proposals, most migrants would have to wait 10 years to qualify for residency - instead of the current five - while foreign workers on health and social care visas would face a 15-year wait.
Rayner's Direct Criticism
Rayner described the potential rule change as "very disruptive" and added: "I do have concerns about that." She further highlighted the impact on foreign care workers who "moved their lives here to look after our loved ones".
Her remarks represent direct criticism of a policy inherited by Prime Minister Andy Burnham from his predecessor, Sir Keir Starmer.
Growing Head of Steam within Labour
It is significant that a serving cabinet minister feels able to criticise an existing government proposal on the eve of Labour's conference, albeit one inherited from the Starmer era. It is part of a growing head of steam from some parts of the party to quash the retrospective elements of these plans.
Previous Criticisms and Support
Rayner has previously criticised the measures, stating in June that proposals to retrospectively alter the rules for migrants already working in the UK "would be wrong". She reiterated her position, saying she "has not changed [her] view", when speaking to the Times.
Government's Response and Softening of Plans?
In recent weeks, trade unions have put pressure on the government to soften its proposals. A letter to Mahmood jointly-signed by dozens of Labour MPs at the start of the year described the plans as "un-British". While Lisa Nandy, secretary of state for culture, media and sport, rejected this description, hinting that the government might be reconsidering its stance:
"I don't think they are un-British because I don't think that we have ever had an automatic right to citizenship for most people who come to the UK from overseas."