UNISON members from across the country have been campaigning and organising to push for changes to the Health and Social Care Visa Scheme. In December, hundreds of UNISON members gathered at Westminster to lobby MPs for an end to exploitation. They are pushing for the replacement of employer-sponsored visas with a sector-wide scheme for social care. Their demands include retaining the five-year qualifying period for ILR and no retrospective application of any change to immigration rules, as well as recognising the vital economic and social contributions of health and social care workers.
The campaign also highlights the negative impact of increased salary thresholds across public services, including the NHS, which for the sake of £63 is leading to swathes of frontline NHS staff being dismissed and put at risk of deportation. UNISON members are campaigning for justice, respect and recognition.
The Home Office has put out an ‘Earned Settlement Consultation’ – we urge everyone to respond before 12/02/26. Please support our demands by adding your voice - You can find the link to the consultation and UNISON model answers below: