New regulations aimed at significantly reducing net migration and addressing visa abuse have been implemented as part of the government’s strategy to lower unsustainable levels of legal migration.
Under these new rules, care workers will no longer be allowed to bring dependents, following concerns about the disproportionately high number of dependents – 120,000 – accompanying 100,000 workers in the previous year.
Additionally, care providers in England acting as sponsors for migrants will be mandated to register with the Care Quality Commission (CQC), the industry regulator for Health and Social Care. This measure is intended to combat worker exploitation and abuse within the sector.
The changes are part of a broader package of measures aimed at reducing the number of people eligible to come to the UK. According to Home Secretary James Cleverly MP, while care workers make invaluable contributions to society, the government cannot ignore instances of abuse and manipulation of the immigration system, along with unsustainable migration figures. Cleverly emphasized the need for robust but fair measures to protect British workers while ensuring the UK can still attract top international talent.
The alterations come alongside the government’s plans to introduce rules in Parliament later in the week to prevent the undercutting of British workers. These measures include raising the salary threshold for skilled workers to obtain a visa and eliminating the 20% discount for migrant workers in shortage occupations.
Minister for Social Care Helen Whately MP stated that while international care workers play a crucial role, international recruitment and increased immigration are not sustainable solutions for social care needs. She highlighted the government’s efforts to bolster the domestic workforce through reforms in social care careers and qualifications.
In another development, the Home Secretary has commissioned a review of the graduate route for international students to prevent abuse and safeguard the quality of UK higher education. The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) will assess the demand for the graduate route and ensure it aligns with the UK’s interests.
Furthermore, the government plans to abolish the Shortage Occupation List (SOL) and replace it with an Immigration Salary List from April 4. This decision follows a recommendation from the independent MAC and aims to prevent the permanent reliance of any sector on immigration.
Effective April 4, the minimum salary required for those entering the UK on a Skilled Worker visa will rise from £26,200 to £38,700. This substantial increase is intended to reduce immigration numbers, alleviate pressure on public services, and discourage the exploitation of British workers.
The minimum income requirement for family visas will also increase, starting at £29,000 from April 11 and rising to £38,700 by early 2025. These adjustments aim to ensure that dependents brought to the UK receive adequate financial support.
The government reiterated its stance that immigration is not a long-term solution to social care needs and emphasized the importance of hiring more British workers. To support this goal, the Department for Health and Social Care is implementing initiatives to grow and support the domestic social care workforce, while the Department for Work and Pensions is rolling out its £2.5 billion Back to Work plan to assist long-term unemployed individuals in finding employment.
