The UK government has announced a major shift in its immigration policy, declaring an end to the recruitment of care workers from abroad as part of efforts to curb net migration.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper revealed on the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg that new rules would be introduced this year, requiring care providers to either hire British nationals or extend the visas of foreign workers already residing in the UK. "It's time to end that care worker recruitment from abroad," Cooper said, emphasizing that the move is aimed at reducing the influx of lower-skilled migrants.
The policy forms part of a broader government plan to reduce net migration, with officials expecting the changes to result in up to 50,000 fewer lower-skilled and care worker visas being issued over the next 12 months.
While full details will be unveiled in an upcoming immigration White Paper, Cooper hinted at several expected reforms, including: Raising the threshold for skilled worker visas from A-level to graduate level.
