Edition 5

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22 Mar 2024

Strengthening the System: Curbing Visa Abuse and Protecting Care Workers

Strengthening the System: Curbing Visa Abuse and Protecting Care Workers
The UK government has implemented new regulations aimed at reducing net migration and addressing visa abuse, particularly in the care sector.

Read on for more detail on the following:

  • New rules implemented by the UK government aim to significantly reduce net migration and combat visa abuse, particularly within the care sector.
  • Care workers are now restricted from bringing dependants, and sponsoring care providers must register with the Care Quality Commission to prevent exploitation.
  • These measures are part of a broader strategy to emphasise the importance of protecting British workers while still attracting international talent and ensuring a sustainable immigration system.

 

The UK government has implemented new regulations aimed at reducing net migration and addressing visa abuse, particularly in the care sector. Care workers will face restrictions on bringing dependants, and any care providers wishing to sponsor care work visas will need to register with the Care Quality Commission to curb exploitation and abuse. These changes are part of a broader strategy to prevent around 300,000 people from immigrating to the UK. Home Secretary, James Cleverly, has emphasized the need to tackle abuse and unsustainable migration levels while protecting British workers and attracting international talent.

These reforms were prompted by concerns over care workers being offered visas under false pretences and exploiting loopholes. Additionally, new rules will be introduced to Parliament to prevent undercutting of British workers, including raising salary thresholds for skilled worker visas and eliminating discounts for migrant workers in shortage occupations.

Minister for Social Care, Helen Whately, highlighted the importance of fostering a sustainable domestic workforce through social care career reforms. Meanwhile, the government plans to review the graduate route for international students to prevent abuse and ensure it benefits the UK.

Further changes include abolishing the Shortage Occupation List and increasing the minimum salary for skilled worker visas. Family visa income requirements will also rise gradually. The government emphasizes that immigration is not a long-term solution for social care needs, advocating for increased recruitment of British workers through training and employment interventions.

Overall, these measures aim to strike a balance between protecting British workers, whilst still being able to attract international employees, and ensure the integrity of the immigration system.

 

Read the full article here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-laws-to-cut-migration-and-tackle-care-worker-visa-abuse#:~:text=There%20is%20clear%20evidence%20that,them%20while%20undercutting%20British%20workers.

 

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