The United Kingdom (UK) government has announced it will no longer allow care workers to be recruited from overseas, in a move aimed at reducing low-skilled migration.
Care providers have warned that the decision could worsen the country’s social care crisis.
Recent figures show a sharp drop in the number of overseas care workers, from 143,900 in 2023 to just 26,100 this year, following earlier visa restrictions that banned workers from bringing dependents.
Experts say the new policy could lead to around 7,000 fewer care workers, with many providers now facing staff shortages. This, they warn, could force more home care services to shut, leaving older and disabled people without support.
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Dr. Jane Townson, head of the Homecare Association, called the decision a clear sign that social care is not a government priority. She said rising costs and lack of funding were already straining the sector.
Nadra Ahmed from the National Care Association said the policy could lead to closures similar to what was seen after Brexit.
She questioned if the government had any real plan to replace migrant workers.
The Health Foundation’s Lucinda Allen added that the care sector is already fragile due to limited funding and rising costs, warning that the visa changes could leave many people without care.
One provider, Stella Shaw, said overseas staff were key to her home care business. Without them, she fears she won’t be able to meet demand.
Unison’s general secretary, Christina McAnea, also criticised the move, saying the care system depends on overseas workers and risks collapse without them.
