On the 17th December, a delegation of five Plymouth UNISON members were early risers being first on the coach at 5am and travelled to Westminster to stand alongside hundreds of UNISON members from across the country. Together, we lobbied 90+ MPs to demand urgent changes to the Health and Social Care Visa, campaigning for justice, respect, and recognition for migrant workers who are vital to our public services. Disappointingly, not a single Plymouth MP attended to meet with our members. However, Plymouth UNISON members came together and demonstrated our strength regardless alongside members from across the South West and from branches nationwide, many were able to speak directly with their MPs. In addition, a delegation of 100 UNISON members took part in an hour-long meeting with the Secretary of state for Health & Social Care, Wes Streeting, where we set out our demands clearly and forcefully. We received assurances that our concerns were heard, and we will continue to hold decision-makers to account to ensure these words are followed by action.
Our message to MPs was clear. The current system is failing workers and services, and it must change. We called for:
- An end to exploitation by replacing employer-sponsored visas with a sector-wide visa scheme for social care.
- Fairness including no retrospective changes and no 15-year qualifying period for indefinite leave to remain, alongside proper recognition of the economic and social contribution made by public sector workers.
- A fully funded Fair Pay Agreement for the social care sector, ensuring decent pay, terms, and conditions.
- Urgent action on rising salary thresholds, which are hitting public services hard. In the NHS alone, staff are being dismissed and placed at risk of deportation for falling just £63 short of the threshold.
These demands are urgent. The government consultation on Indefinite Leave to Remain closes on 12 February 2026, and the consultation on the Fair Pay Agreement closes on 16 January 2026.
This is a critical moment. UNISON will continue to campaign nationally and locally — but change only happens when members’ voices are heard. Plymouth in Unison branch will keep fighting for fair treatment and dignity for all workers.
