UK care homes face ban on overseas recruitment under migration plans as the government seeks to reduce net migration and boost domestic skills.
UK Care Homes Face Ban on Overseas Recruitment Under Migration Plans
The UK government has announced plans to ban care homes from recruiting staff from abroad, as part of a broader overhaul of migration rules aimed at reducing net migration and boosting domestic skills.
The UK government has implemented various migration reforms to regulate immigration and control the flow of people into the country.
The Immigration Act 2014 introduced stricter visa requirements, while the EU Settlement Scheme allowed EU citizens to register their residence in the UK post-Brexit.
The Points-Based System (PBS) was also introduced to prioritize skilled workers, with points awarded for qualifications, experience, and language proficiency.
According to official statistics, net migration to the UK decreased from 327,000 in 2015 to 234,000 in 2020.
The Impact on the Care Sector
The move is expected to have significant implications for the care sector, which relies heavily on overseas workers. According to Yvette Cooper, the home secretary, care companies should recruit staff from existing care workers who have been ‘exploited‘ by unscrupulous employers, as well as from individuals already in the country with valid visas.
New Visa Controls and Restrictions
The government plans to introduce new visa controls and restrictions on lower-skilled workers, including a ban on recruiting overseas workers for certain care jobs. The aim is to target recruitment in lower-skilled sectors and encourage companies to train UK-based staff instead.
Tougher Penalties for Foreign Criminals
In addition to the changes to visa controls, the government plans to assess foreign criminals who commit crimes in the UK for deportation. This includes those who receive prison sentences as well as those who are convicted of less serious crimes.
Foreign criminals refer to individuals who commit crimes in a country other than their own.
According to the United Nations, there are approximately 29 million international migrants worldwide.
Of these, about 10% are estimated to be involved in criminal activities.
The most common crimes committed by foreign nationals include theft, assault, and drug trafficking.
Countries with strict immigration policies often experience an increase in foreign crime rates due to a lack of integration and social exclusion.
Increased Pressure on Employers
The move is part of a broader effort by the government to reduce net migration and boost domestic skills. Employers in the care sector will face increased pressure to recruit UK-based staff, with companies that repeatedly fail to do so risking losing their right to sponsor foreign workers.
Industry Concerns
Industry experts have expressed concerns about the impact of the changes on the care sector, which relies heavily on overseas workers. The government’s plans could lead to shortages and difficulties in recruiting sufficient staff to meet demand.
- theguardian.com | UK care homes face ban on overseas recruitment under migration plans
