The leader of the UK’s largest nursing union, representing over half a million members, has condemned the government’s proposed immigration measures as ‘pandering and scapegoating’.

It comes ahead of the College releasing a major new report on migrant nursing staff and the impact of immigration policies on services this Wednesday.

Speaking to over 3,000 nurses including hundreds of migrant nursing staff at the Royal College of Nursing’s (RCN) annual conference in Liverpool, RCN General Secretary and Chief Executive Professor Nicola Ranger said:

“Many of you in this hall today started your nursing journey far away. So let me say again: you are more than welcome in the UK. Thank you for bringing your skills to this country and bringing your lives here. You know, more than I ever will, the obstacles, costs and the hostility.

“But look at the Home Secretary and Prime Minister. The UK is so reliant on overseas colleagues, especially in social care. The government has no plan to grow a domestic workforce. This is about politics – pandering and scapegoating. It should be about people.

“We need an immigration system that works for care staff, nurses and the people who rely on them. Drop the policy of no recourse to public funds and grant indefinite leave to remain to all nursing staff without delay. Measures like this will give people the security, respect and stability they need.”

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