OVERSEAS staff working in social care and the NHS are to lobby MPs at Westminster today over plans to tighten visa rules.

It will be the first lobby of its kind and will see hundreds of care workers, organised by Unison, descending on Westminster from across the country.

Government plans to triple the time before migrants can secure indefinite leave to remain to 15 years amount to a breach of trust, the union said.

Unison general secretary Christine McAnea said: “Plans to increase the wait before workers can apply to settle here from five to 15 years are cruel and could worsen the crisis in care at a stroke.

“The current system of visa sponsorship is not fit for purpose. It traps care staff in jobs and allows unscrupulous employers to take advantage.

“MPs should listen to the concerns of care staff or risk many leaving the UK for pastures new.”

Other aims of the lobby include ending employer abuses against overseas workers and the need for higher wages.