30 september 2024 : The UK government has introduced new measures to curb net migration and reduce the hiring of foreign workers. The UK Home Office outlined steps to decrease dependence on international recruitment, with a focus on sectors that heavily rely on overseas labor. The Migration Advisory Committee will oversee key sectors facing skill shortages, providing annual assessments to guide ministers on immigration policies.
UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) will also step up scrutiny of visa sponsorships for migrant workers, tightening rules to enforce employment laws and limit employers’ ability to hire foreign workers. These changes include more frequent investigations of visa sponsors, with potential suspension or revocation of licenses for employers found in violation.
Additionally, the minimum salary for the Skilled Worker visa has increased from £26,200 to £38,700 this year. This higher threshold is already in effect.
The UK issued 89,095 health and care worker visas in the year ending June 2024, a 26% decrease from the previous year. Between April and June, visas granted in this sector dropped by 81% year-on-year.
Marley Morris, associate director for migration at the Institute for Public Policy Research, warned that these restrictions could worsen recruitment challenges in sectors like social care, which already face significant staffing shortages. He stressed the importance of closely monitoring the situation to prevent further crises.
