Trade unions and care sector leaders in the United Kingdom have strongly opposed the government’s plan to discontinue the visa route for overseas care workers, warning that the move could deepen the already critical staffing crisis in the social care sector.
The policy, set to be outlined in the Labour government’s upcoming immigration white paper, is aimed at reducing net migration figures by limiting the recruitment of care workers from abroad. However, unions argue that such a decision could cripple the sector, which has come to rely heavily on international labour to fill thousands of vacancies.
According to official figures, more than 58,000 overseas care workers arrived in the UK in 2023 alone, making up nearly half of the newly recruited care workforce. The sector, plagued by long-standing challenges such as low pay and poor working conditions, has consistently turned to international workers to meet growing demand.
Christina McAnea, General Secretary of Unison, Britain’s largest public service union, criticised the government’s plan, stating, “The NHS and the care sector would have collapsed long ago without the thousands of dedicated workers who have come from overseas to fill vital roles. Blocking this route will cause untold damage to a sector already on its knees.”
The decision has also drawn condemnation from Professor Martin Green, Chief Executive of Care England, who described the policy as a “crushing blow” to a fragile and overstretched care system. He noted that for many care providers, overseas recruitment had been the only viable solution to chronic labour shortages.
In defence of the proposal, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said the government was prioritising efforts to improve pay and working conditions in the sector and insisted that employers should shift focus to recruiting from the domestic workforce, including those already residing legally in the UK. Cooper also raised concerns about reported abuses within the visa system, noting that some foreign recruits were placed in exploitative or non-existent jobs.
Still, critics maintain that the timing and rationale behind the visa halt are deeply flawed. Mike Padgham, Chairman of the Independent Care Group, noted that the sector is currently facing more than 100,000 unfilled positions. He warned that without access to international labour, many care homes could be forced to shut down, placing additional strain on the National Health Service (NHS).
The proposed changes form part of the Labour government’s broader immigration strategy, which includes tighter language requirements and longer residency periods for those seeking permanent settlement. The measures are seen as an attempt to respond to political pressure and shifting public sentiment regarding immigration.
As public debate continues, union leaders and care industry representatives are calling on the government to reconsider the plan and engage in urgent dialogue with sector stakeholders. They warn that without meaningful reforms and a sustainable staffing model, the UK’s care system risks facing a deeper crisis that will disproportionately affect the elderly and vulnerable.