The UK Home Secretary announced a significant shift in immigration policy, ending overseas recruitment for care workers. This decision, communicated to the BBC, reflects a government-wide effort to curb net migration.

The Home Secretary stated that the policy change, effective this year, necessitates filling care worker positions with UK nationals or extending existing visas for overseas workers already in the country. The upcoming changes to visa and recruitment laws, slated for release on Monday, aim to reduce net migration by up to 50,000 lower-skilled and care workers annually.

The government’s planned changes, detailed in an upcoming White Paper, have drawn criticism from the Shadow Home Secretary, who deemed the measures insufficient and advocated for an annual migration cap.

Net migration figures have reached record highs recently, reaching 906,000 in June 2023 and 728,000 in the previous year. The government acknowledges the high net migration numbers but will not set specific targets, stating that such targets undermine governmental credibility.

Further changes include raising the skilled visa threshold to graduate level, tightening eligibility requirements, and narrowing exceptions for temporary shortage visas. The Immigration Salary List (ISL), which allows discounted hiring of overseas workers for roles in short supply, will also be impacted.

The Home Secretary projects a reduction of up to 50,000 lower-skilled visas annually as a result of these policy changes. Additionally, new training requirements aim to reintegrate UK citizens into the workforce. The government anticipates these changes will mitigate the need for overseas workers.

The opposition party has called for a yearly migration cap, significantly exceeding the government’s proposed reduction, while arguing that the Labour government’s approach is inadequate in addressing the issues of high net migration.

The government’s plans also include modifications to regulations surrounding international students and graduates, aiming to enhance compliance and maintain standards within universities.

Previous government actions have already tightened restrictions on care sector worker visas, resulting in a significant decrease in applications. The new rules will mandate that care companies prioritize domestic workers and leverage a pool of existing visa holders. Increased pay for care workers is also promised.

Industry stakeholders express concerns about the practicality of these changes, highlighting the existing challenges in recruiting domestic workers. The Liberal Democrats criticized the government’s approach, calling for more comprehensive solutions to the social care crisis.

Political analysts suggest that the timing of these policy adjustments may be influenced by recent electoral successes of a party with a strong anti-immigration platform. The opposition party disputes the effectiveness of this approach, citing concerns beyond pure numerical reductions in immigration.

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Further analysis on this policy change and its effects will be needed.

The UK Home Secretary announced a significant shift in immigration policy, ending overseas recruitment for care workers. This decision, according to the BBC, reflects a broader government initiative to curb net migration.

Yvette Cooper stated that the time has come to cease recruiting care workers internationally, outlining plans for policy changes this year. These changes will mandate that firms prioritize hiring UK nationals or extend the visas of existing foreign workers.

Expected to be unveiled on Monday, the government’s revised visa and recruitment laws aim to reduce net migration by up to 50,000 lower-skilled workers and care staff annually. Details of these changes are anticipated in a forthcoming White Paper.

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp criticized the plan as insufficient, advocating for an annual cap on migration.

Net migration to the UK reached a record high of 906,000 in June 2023, following a figure of 728,000 in the previous year. Previous government attempts to control net migration have been unsuccessful.

While the Home Office awaits official confirmation of the White Paper’s contents, Cooper clarified that the government aims for a substantial reduction in net migration, but will avoid setting specific targets to maintain credibility.

The threshold for skilled visas will reportedly increase to graduate level, a tightening of current A-level requirements. A more restrictive list of exceptions for temporary shortage visas is also planned, though specifics remain undisclosed.

Currently, the Immigration Salary List (ISL) allows discounted hiring of overseas workers in sectors with labor shortages. Cooper anticipates a reduction of up to 50,000 lower-skilled visas annually due to these changes.

In addition to visa reforms, the government will introduce new training commitments to reintegrate unemployed individuals into the workforce. Philp, while agreeing on ending overseas care worker recruitment, stated that the Conservatives will pursue parliamentary approval for an annual migration cap, exceeding the proposed 50,000 reduction.

Cooper confirmed planned modifications to rules governing international students and graduates, emphasizing a continued welcome for their presence and post-graduation work opportunities, but with stricter university compliance measures to address past irregularities.

The government has already implemented tighter regulations for Health and Care Worker visas, leading to a significant drop in applications. The new rules will require care firms to prioritize domestic recruitment or draw from a pool of visa holders already in the country for unfilled positions.

Further measures include a proposed fair pay agreement for care workers to enhance job appeal and reduce reliance on foreign labor. Industry leaders express concern about the challenges these changes pose.

The Liberal Democrats criticized the government’s approach as superficial, highlighting the ongoing social care crisis and urging more comprehensive solutions. Speculation links the timing of these policies to the recent electoral success of the Reform UK party.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage attributed the changes to his party’s recent poll performance, while expressing skepticism about the plan’s long-term effectiveness.

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Addressing the current care worker shortage requires effective strategies to attract more UK applicants to this essential field.

Recent reports highlight both positive dedication and areas for improvement within specific local social care services.