In the face of a spike in migration to the United Kingdom, the government is contemplating shutting down temporary visa schemes for care workers.
This decision stems from an appeal by the New Conservatives party, endorsed by former Home Secretary Suella Braverman and ex-UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, aiming to curtail net migration by discontinuing these visa programs.
The Home Office reports a substantial increase in health and care worker visas, with 143,990 granted in the year ending September 2023—more than double the previous year’s 61,274.
Top recipients include Indians, Nigerians, and Zimbabweans, with Nigeria experiencing the most significant percentage rise, followed by Zimbabwe and India.
The surge in healthcare worker migration is attributed to favorable migration conditions and the UK’s urgent need for healthcare professionals due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This influx strains accommodation and amenities, raising concerns among Britons.
In a recent interview, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak acknowledged excessive net migration levels, a sentiment echoed by a senior minister who deemed the record arrivals in the past year unacceptable.
Revised estimates show net migration peaking at 745,000 in 2022, three times higher than pre-Brexit levels.
National Health Service Trusts express their struggle to sustain social care with visa workers, emphasizing the need for a sustainable solution.
As the UK grapples with increased migration challenges, the government assesses the feasibility of closing temporary visa schemes for care workers.
The goal is to strike a balance between managing migration and meeting healthcare needs while ensuring the sustainability of social care services.
