By John Audu
The UK government has announced a ban on the recruitment of international workers for social care positions, as part of a comprehensive overhaul aimed at curbing “low-skilled migration.” The new directive, outlined in an extensive 82-page Immigration White Paper released on Monday, emphasizes the need for a more stringent definition of “skilled work.”
The Home Office confirmed, “We will close social care visas to new overseas applications,” citing concerns that the current system has been misused in ways detrimental to public confidence and long-term workforce stability.
This reform represents one of the most substantial changes to the UK’s immigration framework in decades. The White Paper, titled “Restoring Control over the Immigration System,” highlights the government’s commitment to reducing net migration, which has reportedly quadrupled from 2019 to 2023.
Immediate Changes for Care Worker Visas
The ban on new overseas applications for social care roles takes effect immediately. Existing care workers in the UK will have the opportunity to extend or switch their visas until 2028, as the government prepares to implement a new domestic workforce strategy. The document stresses the need for the health and social care sector to move away from its dependence on low-wage foreign recruitment, advocating instead for enhanced workforce planning and training within the UK.
Defining ‘Skilled Work’
Central to the reforms is a redefinition of what constitutes ‘skilled work’ within the points-based immigration system. The government plans to raise salary thresholds, qualifications, and English language requirements, effectively closing loopholes that have allowed low-skilled migration to be classified as skilled.
The controversial Immigration Salary List, which previously permitted employers to hire workers below the general salary threshold, will be abolished. The Home Office stated, “We will remove the Immigration Salary List to prevent undercutting of UK wages and ensure that migration supports, rather than suppresses, the labour market.”
New Responsibilities for Employers
Moving forward, employers will be required to demonstrate genuine efforts in recruiting domestically before seeking foreign labor, particularly in sectors that have historically relied on overseas workers. The Home Office emphasized, “No employer should be allowed to default to migration. We are rebalancing the system to reward training, not reliance.”
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper characterized the initiative as “a bold, necessary reset,” asserting that the government is committed to reducing immigration numbers and restoring public trust. “We must rebuild public trust and end the perception that immigration is a substitute for skills planning,” she stated.
The tone of the White Paper is resolute, declaring, “We will not allow temporary migration routes to become permanent. Our reforms will restore integrity and ensure immigration works for Britain — not the other way around.”
