Visa changes put domestic workers at risk of abuse

Domestic workers coming to the UK from overseas will be more vulnerable to abuse in future, campaigners say, after changes to immigration rules that allowed David Cameron's nanny to escape from her previous boss.

More than half of the 93 people – mostly women – who were rescued last year after being trafficked into the country for domestic work managed to transfer to a new employer. The new rules will make this impossible.

Jenny Moss from Kalayaan, the charity used by the Cameron family, said: "Without the ability to change employer it will be impossible for domestic workers to challenge abuse because as soon as they flee an employer they will lose their immigration status. Rather than the perpetrator of abuse being penalised, the domestic worker will be."

A No 10 spokesman said: "It's a private matter. The Government is committed to making the immigration system fairer."