The SoR has respended to the government’s proposal to change immigration rules, in particular around the length of time needed to secure a right to settle, with an emphatic rejection.
In November 2025, the government announced changes which would raise eligibility thresholds for permanent residence in the UK, also called settlement or Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR), doubling the standard waiting period from five to ten years, among other requirements.
Evidence drawn from SoR membership, however, outlines just how counterproductive these measures would be when the UK remains dependent upon the migrant radiographer workforce, alongside the welcome rise in graduate and apprentice radiographer numbers, to tackle waiting lists and meet cancer targets.
The SoR emphasised that one in four Health and Care Professions Council registered radiographers were trained abroad, and two thirds of the increase in radiographer registrants since the end of the pandemic have trained overseas.
'This workforce will be critical'
Dean Rogers, executive director of industrial strategy and member relations, said: “Continuing to recruit and crucially retaining this workforce will be critical for the foreseeable future. These proposed measures will destabilise and reduce the security of those already here, and their families. They are also, by design, aiming to make coming to the UK less of a positive option.”
Key concerns raised by the SoR included that:
- These proposals will have a damaging impact on recruitment, retention and family stability for internationally trained and recruited radiographers
- Current insecurities are already evident and these proposals would be a tipping point
- The proposals are damaging to professionals’ mental health, well-being and sense of personal security and increase the negative emotional impact on radiography professionals already at high risk of burnout and professional anxiety
- Crucially, they by consequence will have a negative impact on patients and radiography productivity
Issues also remain regarding pay thresholds for entry, accelerators based upon taxable earning thresholds, earned settlement and residency requirements, English language proposals, and community contribution incentivisation.
'Misleading the public'
Dean added: “Put bluntly – there is a critical choice for Government. If they proceed as proposed and include radiographers (and other critical Allied Health Professionals currently recognised within their shortage profession lists) within the scope of these changes they must stop misleading the public that they have a credible plan or making commitment to reducing waiting lists and meeting their cancer targets.
“The two ends are mutually exclusive. This is not a point where patients can afford for the government to get this so wrong.”
Radiographer vacancy rates across the country currently stand at or around 15 per cent, meaning departments cannot afford any significant loss in international recruits.
Induction, mentorship and pastoral support
What is needed instead, Dean explained, is more and improved tailored induction, mentorship and pastoral support to boost confidence, self-efficacy and wellbeing amongst internationally trained radiographers – who will repay this commitment to them in high levels of commitment, retention and efficiency.
Submissions were received from across the SoR membership but drew heavily from NIRAD (Nigerian Radiographers in Diaspora), as well as members operating on industry margins, such as unregistered sonographers.
The SoR will continue to lobby the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC), including sending letters to and asking for meetings with Karen Smyth, Wes Streeting and members of the DHSC Select Committee.
(Image: Dean Rogers)