Reforms to restrict care workers from bringing family members are now in force, while care providers are required to register if they are sponsoring migrants.
New rules to radically cut net migration and tackle visa abuse are now in force as part of the government’s plan to bring down unsustainable levels of legal migration.
Care workers will now be restricted from bringing dependants, after a disproportionate 120,000 dependants accompanied 100,000 workers on the route last year.
Care providers in England acting as sponsors for migrants will also be required to register with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) – the industry regulator for Health and Social Care – in order to crack down on worker exploitation and abuse within the sector.
It forms part of a wider package of measures, which is being implemented as soon as possible, which means a total of 300,000 people who were eligible to come to the UK last year would now not be able to do so.
Home Secretary, James Cleverly MP, said:
Care workers make an incredible contribution to our society, taking care of our loved ones in times of need. But we cannot justify inaction in the face of clear abuse, manipulation of our immigration system and unsustainable migration numbers.
It is neither right nor fair to allow this unacceptable situation to continue. We promised the British people action, and we will not rest until we have delivered on our commitment to bring numbers down substantially.
Our plan is robust but fair – protecting British workers while ensuring the very best international talent can work and study here, to add value to our society and grow the economy.
There is clear evidence that care workers have been offered visas under false pretences, travelling thousands of miles for jobs that simply don’t exist or to be paid far below the minimum wage required for their work, exploiting them while undercutting British workers.
These changes come into force as the government is set to lay rules in Parliament later this week (14 March) to prevent the continued undercutting of British workers, which includes raising the salary threshold that a skilled worker must meet in order to get a visa and removing the 20% ‘going-rate’ discount for migrant workers in shortage occupations.
Minister for Social Care, Helen Whately MP, said:
International care workers make an invaluable contribution caring for our loved ones, but international recruitment and more immigration are not long-term solutions to our social care needs. These rules provide a more ethical and sustainable approach.
We are boosting our homegrown workforce by reforming social care careers. These include the first ever national career path for care workers and a new care qualification.
Our reforms will grow the domestic workforce and build on our success over the last year that saw more people working in social care, fewer vacancies and lower staff turnover.
The Home Secretary will also, today, commission a review of the graduate route for international students to prevent abuse, protect the integrity and quality of UK higher education, and ensure it works in the best interests of the UK.
He will ask the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) to ensure that demand for the graduate route, through which a total of 175,872 visas have been granted since it was established, is fit for purpose and focused on attracting the best and brightest to the UK.
This follows concerns raised after analysis by the MAC revealed that the number of international postgraduate students attending institutions with the lowest UCAS entry requirements has increased by over 250% between 2018 and 2022.
This follows reforms to student visas which came into force at the start of January, ending the ability of nearly all postgraduate students to bring dependants to the UK. The government expects to see a drastic fall in student dependant applications this year, with early indications already of this downward trend.
In further changes, the Shortage Occupation List (SOL) will be abolished, to be replaced with a new Immigration Salary List on 4 April. This follows a recommendation from the independent MAC, which has also advised the government on which occupations should be temporarily added to the new list initially.
The government has been clear that roles should only be included where they are skilled and in shortage, and that no sector should be permanently reliant on immigration. Inclusion on the list must not serve to reduce pay and undermine the recruitment of British workers.
From 4 April, the minimum salary required for those arriving on the Skilled Worker visa will increase from £26,200 to £38,700 – a 48% increase. This will further drive down numbers, reduce pressure on public services and prevent the undercutting of British workers by employers who look to recruit cheap labour from overseas. The government’s robust approach will prioritise the most talented and highly-skilled people from abroad who will add value and contribute significantly to growth of the economy, whilst encouraging employers to invest in training, upskilling, and recruiting domestic workers.
The minimum income requirement for family visas will also rise, starting at £29,000 from 11 April. By early 2025 this will be increased to £38,700, helping to ensure dependants brought to the UK are supported financially.
The government has been clear that immigration is not the long-term answer to social care needs and care providers should hire more British workers. The Department for Health and Social Care is leading a programme of work to grow and support the domestic social care workforce. This includes better training, clearer career paths and improved job prospects through a new accredited qualification.
The Department for Work and Pensions is taking decisive action in one of the biggest employment interventions in a generation through its £2.5 billion Back to Work plan, which will help 1.1 million people who are long-term unemployed or long-term sick or disabled break down barriers to work.
Credit: uk.gov
More from Foreign
Liberian International Allegedly Mobbed in Ghana Sparks Fear for Ghanaians
A Liberian International mobbed in Ghana has created tension and fear as Liberian citizens have promised to retaliate the …
US Senator Reveals Ghana’s $251 Million Debt to American Companies
US Senator Reveals Ghana's $251 Million Debt to American Companies US Senator James E. Risch has publicly disclosed that Ghana owes …
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Address at President Mahama’s Inauguration
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's Address at President Mahama's Inauguration Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu delivered a speech at the inauguration of …
Thailand Visa Now Available to Citizens of Nine African Countries
Thailand Visa Now Available to Citizens of Nine African Countries The government of Thailand has announced that citizens of nine African …
President Tinubu Arrives in Ghana for Presidential Inauguration
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria is scheduled to arrive in Ghana today, January 6, 2025, to attend the inauguration …
Ghana Stock Market Poised for Success in 2025
Ghana Stock Market Poised for Success in 2025 The Ghana Stock Market is off to a strong start in 2025, building …
President-elect John Mahama Invites Nigerian President Bola Tinibu for his Inauguration Ceremony
President-elect John Mahama Invites Nigerian President Bola Tinibu for his Inauguration Ceremony President-elect John Mahama has requested the honor of …
Senator Gloria Clears the Air of Having an Affair with John Kufuor
Senator Gloria Clears the Air of Having an Affair with John Kufuor Senator Gloria has spoken out against accusations of …
Bishop David Oyedepo is a threat to Nigerians peace
The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs has urged the Nigerian Government to abrogate private Airstrip license from Oyedepo. The (NSCIA) …
Actress Funke wows fans with a grand entrance.
Actress Funke wows fans with a grand entrance. Actress funke Akindele has made people talking about her grand entrance of her …
Husband needs his Nollywood actress wife back.
In May 2017, Temitope and Olujonwo got married. The marriage between Olujonwo and Temitope faced many challenges even before they got …
Politicians do not like pastors who criticized them.
Politicians do not like pastors who criticized them. The question is, why would Nigerian politicians refuse to attend churches where they …
EFCC bursted an alleged fraudster
EFCC bursted an alleged fraudster A young woman in Abia state is in trauma as EFCC breaks into her home …
Nigerian Actress Kemi condemns netizens trolling Mercy Aigbe.
Nigerian Actress Kemi condemns netizens trolling Mercy Aigbe. Actress Kemi begged netizens trolling Mercy Aigbe over her loss to desist from …
Moses bliss has finally break silence about Ebuka songs.
In a recent video, Moses Bliss made it clear that, there is no issue concerning him and Ebuka Songs considering …
Kidnappers who demanded #50m for the church school principal
The administrator of the Omega Power Ministry Church decided not to pay the amount demanded by the kidnappers after the …
Actress Ayo Adesanya send words of warning to her younger colleagues and younger girls
A popular actress Ayo Adesanya has given an extremely important advice to younger ladies who are choosing hookup as a …
Peller to Jarvis”Give me a handsome son like Jamal Tiwa Savage’s son”
Peller to Jarvis"Give me a handsome son like Jamal Tiwa Savage's son'' In a recent video, Peller and Jarvis entertained …
Social Media cost me my marriage- Nigerian Actor Chatta
In this life, it’s always advisable to keep your personal life and that of your family from social media because …
Bishop David Adeboye opens a new ministry.
Bishop David Adeboye clears the air. Bishop David Adeboye has explained why he's setting up his own ministry. This is after …
Nigeria’s Justice System is sick!
Nigeria’s Justice System is sick! The Nigerian’s Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun on Thursday said, the criminal justice of Nigeria …
Nollywood and saga!
The celebrated Nollywood actor Diobi has finally addressed the swirling and endless comparison between him and his fellow actor Mike …
Popular skitmaker Taoma and her husband welcomed their first child
Popular skitmaker Taoma and her husband welcomed their first child The couple posted a heartwarming video of their daughter moment …
Whoever stole Nigerians’ money to build 754 duplexes must be sick- Ex President Aide
Whoever stole Nigeria money to build 754 duplex must be sick- Ex President Aide The ex president Aide called for …
Mercy Aigbe expressess words of gratitude to her fans after fire erupted her house.
Mercy Aigbe expressess words of gratitude to her fans after fire erupted her house. The Nigerian actress, Mercy Aigbe has thanked …
Verydarkman Exposes Oyedepo Yearly Shiloh Gathering
Verydarkman Exposes Oyedepo Yearly Shiloh Gathering Nigerian activist Martin's Otise Vincent better known as Verydarkman on social media is a …
Dickson Ndiema who burnt his girlfriend to death is also dead!
Dickson Ndiema Marangach, the man who doused the Ugandan athlete Rebecca Cheptegei's with fuel and set her ablaze is also …
Telegram CEO arrested: He fathers over 100 children; Ghanaians are asking questions.
The founder of Telegram—detained in France last week and entangled in legal webs—embodies the contradictions of the tech age: a …
Full List of 2024 BET Winners
FULL LIST OF 2024 BET AWARDS WINNERS ALBUM OF THE YEAR 11:11 – Chris Brown A Gift & a Curse – Gunna American …
Kenya’s President Withdraws Finance Tax Bill.
The president of Kenya, William Ruto withdraws the tax bill that was meant to be implemented and passed to bill …
