Up to 50,000 Nurses May Leave UK Over Immigration Changes

The potential departure of up to 50,000 nurses from the United Kingdom looms large as a result of new immigration proposals being discussed by the government. A survey conducted by the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) indicates that these changes could plunge the National Health Service (NHS) into its most severe workforce crisis yet.

Under the proposed immigration reforms, migrants would face significant barriers, including a wait of up to 10 years to apply for settled status, a sharp increase from the current five-year period. The measures also include heightened skill requirements for foreign workers, mandating that they possess degree-level qualifications and improved English language proficiency for all visa categories, including those for dependents. This initiative appears to be a response to the rising political influence of the Reform UK party, led by Nigel Farage.

The discussion around these proposals has sparked strong criticism from nursing leaders. They characterize the government’s approach as “immoral” and accuse officials of treating highly skilled migrants as “political footballs.” The RCN warns that a mass exodus of nurses could jeopardize patient safety and hinder efforts to reduce treatment waiting times, which have already been exacerbated by a shortage of staff.

The RCN survey, which included responses from over 5,000 migrant nursing staff, found that close to 60% of those without indefinite leave to remain (ILR) indicated that the proposed changes would likely affect their decision to stay in the UK. This suggests that more than 46,000 nursing staff could consider permanent departure, further straining an already overworked health system.

The implications of these proposals extend beyond immediate staffing concerns. The government’s plans to extend the period for obtaining ILR from five to ten years have caused alarm among the more than 200,000 internationally educated nursing staff in the UK, who make up approximately 25% of the total nursing workforce of 794,000.

Professor Nicola Ranger, General Secretary and Chief Executive of the RCN, emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, “These proposals are not just immoral; they would be dangerous for our patients.” She urged the government to reconsider its plans, warning that they risk deepening the NHS workforce crisis. “At a time when the government is failing to grow the domestic nursing workforce, it risks pushing tens of thousands of highly skilled nurses out of the UK,” she added.

The proposed measures would also restrict migrants’ access to state support, such as child benefits and disability payments, for a decade, despite their contributions through taxes. This situation creates a precarious environment for migrant nurses, who often find their visas tied to their employers, leading to potential exploitation in the workforce.

The survey results show that 53% of respondents are “extremely concerned” about their financial security, while 52% express significant anxiety regarding the impact on their families. Furthermore, 49% of those surveyed are worried about the implications for their careers. Only 11% of respondents indicated they would have migrated to the UK had they known the settlement path would take 10 years.

In light of these findings, the RCN is advocating for a reduction in the application fees for ILR, which currently stand at £3,029 per person, despite the estimated processing cost being only £523. For context, the fee was just £155 in 2003.

A spokesperson for the UK government acknowledged the contributions of overseas healthcare workers, stating, “We are grateful to our overseas frontline healthcare workers, who bring compassion, deliver high-quality care and strengthen our health service, but net migration must come down.” They mentioned that under the proposed new settlement model, individuals can potentially reduce the qualifying period for settlement based on their contributions to the UK economy and society. The government plans to launch a public consultation on these proposals shortly and encourages health and care workers to participate.

As the debate continues, the future of the NHS workforce hangs in the balance, with the potential for a significant loss of talent that could hinder the health service’s ability to meet the demands of the population.