Care homes closure warning after PM's visa pledge

Care homes could be forced to close over proposed immigration law changes, according to bosses in the sector.

A new UK government white paper proposes care workers on sponsored visas would need to remain in the UK for 10 years before gaining the right to live and work here indefinitely - double the current requirement of five years.

One care worker on a care sponsorship visa described the announcement as "shocking", and said it was "dashing" her hopes of building a better life.

Downing Street has said it will not "shy away from direct conversations on immigration", while the Welsh government said it was analysing the proposal and its potential impact on all sectors, including social care.

The proposal was announced in a speech by the prime minister this week, where he warned the UK risks becoming an "island of strangers".

Sir Keir Starmer did not set a precise target, but the Home Office estimated the new policies could lead to a 100,000 drop in immigration per year by 2029.

Folake, from Nigeria, is currently on a care sponsorship visa which ends in January.

She said she "loves" her job as a nursing home carer and that her new community "makes me happy".

"I came with the hope of settling here in the United Kingdom and building a better life for my children," she said.

"It's shocking and depressing, and it's dashing that hope."

Folake, who lives in Rhondda Cynon Taf, said people do not want to become illegal immigrants or asylum seekers and want to work here legally and "live our lives".

"Each time I think about it, I question 'is this really becoming a reality":[]}