The issuance of care worker visas in the UK witnessed an 83% decrease during the first quarter of 2024.
07 May
KEY POINTS TO NOTE: The UK has seen an 83% drop in visas issued to health, care, and skilled workers, along with students, during the first quarter of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.
Specifically, 139,100 visas were granted in early 2024, a decrease from the 184,000 issued during the same timeframe in 2023.
This decline is primarily due to restrictions on social care workers bringing their families to the UK.Home Office data highlights an 83% reduction in visas for these groups from January to March this year compared to 2023.
The recent changes to visa rules, announced by the Home Office at the end of last year, aim to curb immigration, including limitations on family members accompanying foreign students except for those in research programs.
Notably, in March 2024, there were 11,900 fewer skilled worker health and social care visa applications compared to March 2023.
This 83% decrease corresponds to 2,400 applications in March 2024 versus 14,300 in March 2023.
David Pearson, co-chair of the Skills for Care workforce steering group, notes that while the full impact on the industry is yet to be seen due to data delays, there are concerns given the 152,000 social care vacancies and a reduction of 30,000 in domestic recruitment last year.
Pearson emphasizes the need for a comprehensive workforce strategy covering working conditions, pay, development, training, and career progression to address these challenges and ensure adequate social care services for people.
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