Migration crackdown on carers is fuelling the far-right, Mahmood told - The i Paper

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Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has been accused by a senior union boss of fuelling the far-right with her plans to crack down on migrant workers’ right to settle in the UK.

Andrea Egan, general secretary of the Unison union, which is one of Labour’s biggest financial backers, accused the Home Secretary of “dehumanising” migrants, especially care workers, by making them wait longer to get the right to live in the UK permanently.

Mahmood is facing a major Labour revolt over her plans to double the default qualifying time – from five to 10 years – that immigrant workers must live in the UK before getting indefinite leave to remain (ILR).

Shorts Scroll to previous short Scroll to next short What we know so far about RAF Fairford ‘bomb plot’ How puzzles may ‘reduce age-related cognitive decline’ Sycamore Gap stump shows new shoots three years after felling How triple lock could be axed to pay for national care service 1 2 3 4 5 Three vans were parked closed to the airbase in Gloucestershire (Photo: BBC) news What we know so far about RAF Fairford ‘bomb plot’

Five men were arrested on terror charges and villagers evacuated from their homes after a major incident was declared near the RAF Fairford airbase used by the US Air Force.

Aerial footage showed a bomb disposal robot inspecting three white vans in the area. 1 2 3 4 5 What are they accused of? The men were initially arrested on suspicion of Explosives Act offences.

Police were called out to three suspicious vans heading towards the airbase in Gloucestershire at 12.45am on Sunday.

The five men were later further arrested on suspicion of the preparation of a terrorist act, with counter-terrorism policing officers now leading the investigation. Five men arrested near RAF Fairford were ‘under surveillance’ – everything we know 5 min read 1 2 3 4 5 How were they caught? A local farmer spotted the seemingly abandoned white vans blocking a quiet country road a few hundred metres from RAF Fairford when driving home from a party.

The farmer told The Telegraph she saw a group of “young” men, some wearing “masks or balaclavas”, running into the trees and across fields towards the airbase. She called the police and warned neighbours to lock their doors. Caption: WHELFORD, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 27: Armed police maintain road blocks and security checks around RAF Fairford on September 27, 2026 in Whelford, England. Police have declared a major incident after evacuating residents from their homes in Whelford, a village about one mile from RAF Fairford, a military base that hosts U.S. Air Force bombers involved in the Iran conflict. Several men have been arrested on suspicion of offences under the explosives act, and the Army’s specialist explosive ordnance disposal team are examining a number of vehicles in the area. (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)

1 2 3 4 5 RAF Fairford’s links to Iran war A senior Western intelligence source told The i Paper the assumption is that those involved in this incident are likely to be proxies for a hostile state. Iran is understood to be the leading suspect. The US Air Force has used RAF Fairford to carry out bombing missions against Iran in a bid to protect ships in the Strait of Hormuz.

In July, Iran’s Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) warned against allowing US bombers to fly from British bases, saying such sites would be legitimate targets.

A UK Government spokesperson said at the time: “Our armed forces are ready to keep the United Kingdom safe from any kind of attacks, whether it’s ⁠on our soil or from abroad.”

Inquiries have yet to rule out Russia or even domestic activity. 1 2 3 4 5 What did the police say? I can’t go into details, but I can give reassurance that we believe the matter to be contained and as a set of agencies working together across Gloucestershire, we are gathering and responding to local intelligence all the time. Gloucestershire Police temporary Chief Constable, Maggie Blyth. Caption: Gloucestershire Police Temporary Chief Constable Maggie Blyth speaks at a press conference after five men were arrested on suspicion of explosive and terrorism offences. Picture date: Sunday September 27, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Eleanor Storey/PA Wire

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1 2 3 4 5 How puzzles may ‘reduce age-related cognitive decline’ Researchers found memory, logic and reasoning puzzles with advice on diet and exercise, can help improve thinking and memory problems. Paper head with puzzle pieces-Autism concept.Blue background – stock photo. (Photo: Getty) 1 2 3 4 5 How the study works The study examined people aged 60-85 with low cognitive scores.

They were split into three groups. One group was given evidence-based advice on diet.

The second used a website called Active Brains, which provides cognitive exercises in the form of puzzles.

The third group were directed to the same website and also given “brief support” with a nurse. Seven cheap changes to make to your dinner to cut your dementia risk 5 min read 1 2 3 4 5 The study’s findings After 12 months, all groups showed improvement in their cognitive scores and a significant proportion no longer met the criteria for age-related cognitive decline.

28 per cent of people who were given simple lifestyle advice were no longer deemed to have cognitive decline.

This increased to 33 per cent of those directed to the website and 32 per cent of those directed to the website and given additional support.

Among those directed to the website and given additional support, there was an 18 per cent reduction in severe cognitive impairment compared to those who were just given advice, researchers found. 1 2 3 4 5 Hear from the researchers Professor Paul Little, co-lead of the study, said: “These are really exciting findings that people can easily take on board.

“Simple messages and simple things that people can do really make a difference – and the NHS does not need to spend a lot of money.” Caption: digitally generated computer graphic illustration image of a human brain with a modeling clay texture.

Photographer: OsakaWayne Studios

Caption: (GERMANY OUT) DEU, GERMANY, Bonn: Living in old age: Senior couple surfing in the internet with their notebook computer. (Photo by Yavuz Arslan/ullstein bild via Getty Images)

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He added the research team was “surprised” by the cognitive improvement seen among people just given “brief advice”. 1 2 3 4 5 What do the experts say? Experts said the study was “encouraging”, but added some caveats.

Dr Richard Oakley from the Alzheimer’s Society said: “People should not take this study to mean that doing puzzles can reverse dementia or improve symptoms for everyone living with memory problems.” Brain scans may be needed to confirm dementia (Photo:Tek Image/Science Photo Library/Getty Images) Exclusive New dementia drugs could become available on the NHS 4 min read 1 2 3 4 We grasp at symbols we can hold on to (Photo: Owen Humphreys/PA) news Sycamore Gap stump shows new shoots three years after felling Three years after it was illegally felled, photos show a thick ring of new shoots around the stump of the sycamore tree made famous by 1991’s Robin Hood Prince of Thieves. 1 2 3 4 What happened to it? The tree, which was planted in the late 1800s in Northumberland, was illegally felled in September 2023 by Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers, causing national outcry.

In 2025, the pair were jailed for four years and three months for criminal damage for cutting down the iconic tree with a chainsaw. Caption: File photo dated 29/09/23 of the felled Sycamore Gap tree, on Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland. Daniel Graham, 39, and Adam Carruthers, 32, have been found guilty at Newcastle Crown Court of cutting down the Sycamore Gap tree in Northumberland. Issue date: Friday May 9, 2025. PA Photo. See PA story COURTS SycamoreGap. Photo credit should read: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire

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Caption: Undated handout photos issued by Northumbria Police of Daniel Daniel Graham, 39, (left) and Adam Carruthers, 32, who are due to be sentenced on Tuesday after they were found guilty at Newcastle Crown Court of criminal damage after the felling of the Sycamore Gap tree – valued at ?622,000 and ?1,114 damage to Hadrian’s Wall. Issue date: Tuesday July 15, 2025. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Northumbria Police/PA Wire

NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder.

Photographer: Northumbria Police

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1 2 3 4 Slow recovery starts to show Now, the National Trust, which operates the site at Hadrian’s Wall, has revealed the stump has shown new growth. Caption: EMBARGOED TO 0001 MONDAY SEPTEMBER 28

Undated handout photo issued by the National Trust of a close-up of new shoots at Sycamore Gap stump three years after it was felled illegally. Three years since the tree at Sycamore Gap was felled, the National Trust has shared images of a thick ring of new shoots around its stump. New growth at the site at Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland stands two to three feet tall and show the benefit of keeping the area fenced off, the conservation charity has said. Issue date: Monday September 28, 2026. PA Photo. The tree was illegally felled on September 28 2023 by Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers who travelled from their homes in Cumbria to cut down the much-loved sycamore during a storm. Photo credit should read: Annapurna Mellor/National Trust Images/PA Wire

NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder.

Photographer: Annapurna Mellor/National Trust Images

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Caption: Undated handout photo issued by the National Trust of thriving new shoots at Sycamore Gap three years after it was felled illegally. Three years since the tree at Sycamore Gap was felled, the National Trust has shared images of a thick ring of new shoots around its stump. New growth at the site at Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland stands two to three feet tall and show the benefit of keeping the area fenced off, the conservation charity has said. Issue date: Monday September 28, 2026. PA Photo. The tree was illegally felled on September 28 2023 by Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers who travelled from their homes in Cumbria to cut down the much-loved sycamore during a storm. Photo credit should read: Annapurna Mellor/National Trust Images/PA Wire

NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder.

Photographer: Annapurna Mellor/National Trust Images

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Copyright: National Trust Images/Annapurna Mellor

Since it was felled, the remaining stump has been protected by a barrier, allowing nature to take its course and new green shoots to spring up. 1 2 3 4 Promising signs These flourishing shoots are really encouraging and show that the special measures we’ve taken, including reducing soil compaction around the roots and limiting human disturbance, are paying off. Andrew Poad, general manager for the National Trust at Hadrian’s Wall Caption: Undated handout photo issued by the National Trust of Hadrian’s Wall with the fenced Sycamore Gap and a view of High Shields Crag. Three years since the tree at Sycamore Gap was felled, the National Trust has shared images of a thick ring of new shoots around its stump. New growth at the site at Hadrian’s Wall in Northumberland stands two to three feet tall and show the benefit of keeping the area fenced off, the conservation charity has said. Issue date: Monday September 28, 2026. PA Photo. The tree was illegally felled on September 28 2023 by Daniel Graham and Adam Carruthers who travelled from their homes in Cumbria to cut down the much-loved sycamore during a storm. Photo credit should read: Annapurna Mellor/National Trust Images/PA Wire

NOTE TO EDITORS: This handout photo may only be used for editorial reporting purposes for the contemporaneous illustration of events, things or the people in the image or facts mentioned in the caption. Reuse of the picture may require further permission from the copyright holder.

Photographer: Annapurna Mellor/National Trust Images

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1 2 3 4 politics How triple lock could be axed to pay for national care service Andy Burnham’s plan to put free social care in Labour’s next general election manifesto could be part of a grand bargain to drop the state pension triple lock, Labour MPs believe. 1 2 3 4 What you need to know A Labour MP told The i Paper that introducing the NHS-style care service would be a “politically smart” way to “sugar the pill” of finally scrapping the lock

On Sunday, the PM kicked off Labour’s conference in Liverpool by vowing to put forward a plan to voters at the next election in which “everyone contributes, everyone is covered” for social care.

In private, many MPs across the political spectrum confide that the lock is fundamentally unsustainable over the long term. 1 2 3 4 Figures chime in A reader asks: ‘I would like to know what tax I would pay if I were to swap my final salary pension for a lump sum?’ (Photo: Richard Drury/Getty) Resolution Foundation The think-tank said an Australian-style system would deliver savings of about £650m by 2030. Darren Jones The ex-cabinet minister said getting rid of the triple lock is “an option that the Government should consider”. Caption: Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister Darren Jones leaves BBC Broadcasting House, London, after appearing on the BBC1 current affairs programme, Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg. Picture date: Sunday May 24, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: James Manning/PA Wire

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Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Emma Reynolds, speaks on stage on the last day of the Labour Conference (Photo: Ian Forsyth/Getty Images) Emma Reynolds The junior minister suggested tax rises would be needed to fund the policy, saying it “isn’t going to be cheap”. 1 2 3 4 A word of warning A backbencher cautioned that Burnham would have to tread carefully. “We will need to try and secure a cross-party consensus on adult social care,” they said.

Back in 2017, Theresa May proposed replacing the triple lock with a “double lock”. The policy was dubbed a “dementia tax” and the Tories subsequently lost their majority. The state pension is protected by the triple lock (Photo: coldsnowstorm/Getty) Exclusive Triple lock could face axe to help fund national care service, Labour insiders believe 3 min read

The rebellion was fuelled further by Communities Secretary Angela Rayner breaking Cabinet ranks on the eve of Labour’s conference in Liverpool, saying that applying the new rules to foreign workers already in the UK would “change the goalposts”, having previously described the plans as “un-British”.

Mahmood’s tough reforms have been widely viewed as an attempt by Labour to neutralise the political threat from Reform UK by demonstrating a harder line on migration.

Egan piled further pressure on the Home Secretary in an interview with The i Paper on Sunday, urging Mahmood to drop her plan to apply the longer wait for settlement to workers already in the UK.

She warned that care workers would be among the hardest hit by Mahmood’s reforms, which would force them to wait 15 years for indefinite leave to remain. The proposals would lengthen the path to settlement for people in “low-skilled” jobs, while shortening it for higher-skilled workers.

Unison has previously called for the crackdown to be scrapped after analysis suggested British workers were not filling vacancies left by fewer migrant staff in the care sector, where there are staff shortages and around 96,000 job vacancies.

Egan warned that Andy Burnham’s plan to “fix” social care would not bear fruit without reversing the plans.

A former care worker herself, Egan said she had seen the “value” of migrant care workers, who want to come to the UK and “contribute”.

“There were people that were just wanting to do a good job, get a decent wage, and live,” she said.

“And we should be celebrating that, not dehumanising it. It’s absolutely unacceptable.”

The Unison general secretary went further: “I think Shabana Mahmood’s proposals have fuelled the far-right, and I think some of that is because people are feeling… communities… they’re angry.

“They feel let down in politics, and they want somebody to blame. So that’s it. It’s easy to blame the migrant workers.

“Well, I’m sorry, we’ve got to do a lot more to promote and show and demonstrate their value and who they are.”

She also hit out at the rise of the far right, saying recent scenes of “hooded gangs” on the streets were “terrifying”.

Egan added: “What’s more terrifying, that or an Asian or a black nurse looking after you, in your hour of need?”

Hundreds of thousands of care workers and their dependents have arrived in the UK on health and care visas since 2021. Many will soon become eligible for indefinite leave to remain, unless Mahmood pushes ahead with plans to apply her crackdown retrospectively.

The move is aimed at addressing concerns that record post-Covid migration levels under the Conservatives could lead to large numbers of migrants settling in the UK permanently.

Mahmood is believed to be considering a concession due to the sheer number of Labour MPs who are against the plans. Egan urged her to “do the right thing” and backtrack in her Labour conference speech on Monday.

Egan said care workers were invited to Britain under the Tory government to help tackle severe staff shortages in health and social care, with many selling possessions, borrowing money and uprooting their families on the understanding they could gain indefinite leave to remain after five years.

“They look after our loved ones, you know, our parents, our grandparents, our aunts, our uncle.”

At a conference fringe event, Immigration minister Jo White defended the reforms, arguing that around 600,000 social care workers could get indefinite leave to remain after five years, then choose to leave the sector, worsening the staffing crisis.

“I don’t want us to get into that spiral where people move out of the care sector because they’ve got [indefinite] leave to remain,” she said. “And this is what we hear from people coming from other countries, that they’re here to work, but they then want to go on to other things.”

Rayner said she would not get into a row with Mahmood over the plans, and that she was sure she would come to a “good conclusion”. The final shape of the reforms is due this autumn.