The UK plans to stop hiring foreign care workers as it tries to lower migration numbers. British Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said this change will start later this year. Care companies must hire UK workers or extend visas for foreign staff already working there. The government expects these changes to reduce migration by about 50,000 workers next year. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp wants even stricter limits on people coming to the UK.
Cooper said the government has no exact migration targets, but changing visa rules will help lower numbers. More details will come in a paper next week. Students from other countries can still stay to work after they finish school. Care companies need to prove they looked for British workers first before hiring from overseas. The government has already banned care workers from bringing family members when they move to the UK.
Cooper promised to improve care jobs for British workers with fair pay deals. Leaders in the care field worry these changes will worsen staff shortages. Care England called this policy harmful to care services that need workers. The government believes these changes will create a better balance in immigration rules. Training more British workers should help care services last without needing foreign staff.
Cooper said the government has no exact migration targets, but changing visa rules will help lower numbers. More details will come in a paper next week. Students from other countries can still stay to work after they finish school. Care companies need to prove they looked for British workers first before hiring from overseas. The government has already banned care workers from bringing family members when they move to the UK.
Cooper promised to improve care jobs for British workers with fair pay deals. Leaders in the care field worry these changes will worsen staff shortages. Care England called this policy harmful to care services that need workers. The government believes these changes will create a better balance in immigration rules. Training more British workers should help care services last without needing foreign staff.
