Labour unions and stakeholders in the UK’s care sector have expressed strong opposition to the government’s plan to halt the recruitment of foreign care workers, criticizing it as a misguided policy that could worsen the already precarious situation in the industry.
According to The Guardian UK, the UK government is preparing to publish a new immigration white paper on Monday, which includes a proposal to end the recruitment of care workers from abroad. This policy is part of broader efforts to reduce legal migration and encourage the employment of local workers.
The announcement has been met with fierce criticism from unions and leaders in the care sector, who argue that the industry, which is already facing staffing shortages and financial constraints, relies heavily on foreign workers to meet demand.
Professor Martin Green, CEO of Care England, condemned the government’s decision, describing it as an unnecessary blow to an already struggling sector.
“The care industry has been operating with limited resources, rising costs, and significant staff shortages for years,” Green said. “While international recruitment hasn’t solved all our problems, it has been a vital lifeline. To remove that support without offering a viable alternative is a reckless move.”
Unison, the largest trade union in the UK, also strongly opposed the policy and called for clarification on the future of foreign care workers already in the country.
Christina McAnea, General Secretary of Unison, emphasized the crucial role of migrant workers in maintaining the UK’s health and social care systems.
“Thousands of migrant care workers have been the backbone of these services. Now they are left in limbo, uncertain about their future. The government must assure them that they will not be forced to leave,” McAnea stated.
She also criticized the government’s stance on care roles, which it has classified as “low-skilled,” urging better pay and recognition for workers in the sector.
In 2023, over 58,000 foreign care workers entered the UK through the skilled worker visa route, representing nearly half of the new entrants to the care workforce.
Meanwhile, the Labour government has defended the policy, claiming it is part of an effort to overhaul the immigration system and reduce reliance on foreign workers in favor of developing the domestic workforce.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, speaking in an interview with BBC, argued that there are still untapped sources of labor within the UK.
“Employers should be focusing on hiring people already in the country, including those with existing visas who have not yet been employed,” she said.
“There is also room to extend certain visas, but we believe the time has come to stop recruiting new care workers from abroad.”