By 
May 16, 2025 | London
In a sweeping policy shift aimed at cutting net migration, the UK government has announced an immediate ban on overseas recruitment of care workers a move that has sparked widespread alarm across the already overstretched social care sector. The decision, unveiled by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, is part of a broader immigration strategy designed to reduce net migration by approximately 50,000 annually.
The announcement, detailed in the newly released Immigration White Paper, marks a significant tightening of the UK’s migration policy. Under the new rules, care providers will no longer be allowed to sponsor new overseas recruits, and must instead focus on hiring British nationals or extending the visas of international staff already residing in the UK.
This policy change targets what the government describes as an overreliance on foreign workers that has masked systemic issues in the sector, such as low wages and insufficient domestic recruitment. The care worker visa scheme had issued nearly 146,000 visas in 2023 alone, contributing significantly to net migration figures, which stood at 728,000 last year.
“This is about restoring integrity to our immigration system and investing in our domestic workforce,” said Cooper. “We cannot continue to rely on a model that is neither sustainable nor fair to those delivering care or receiving it.”
A Sector on the Brink
The decision has drawn fierce criticism from care providers and industry leaders, who warn that the move could deepen the staffing crisis and jeopardize the wellbeing of vulnerable people.
Care England, which represents independent social care providers, called the ban a “crushing blow” to a sector already grappling with 165,000 vacancies. Martin Green, the organisation’s chief executive, said that overseas recruitment has been a “lifeline” for struggling providers, and warned that the ban could lead to closures and reduced care quality.
“This isn’t just a staffing issue,” said Green. “It’s about the future of care in this country. The government is pulling away support without putting real, tangible solutions in place.”
Between 2021 and 2024, nearly 185,000 international workers joined the UK care workforce. But new rules introduced by the previous Conservative government including restrictions on bringing dependents and tougher sponsorship requirements had already caused care visa applications to plummet from almost 300,000 in 2023 to just over 63,000 by late 2024.
Dr. Jane Townson, CEO of the Homecare Association, echoed the alarm. “This signals, yet again, that social care is not a priority for the government. Without international workers, more providers will collapse, and older and disabled people will be left without vital support.”
Exploitation and Systemic Failures
The government’s decision comes in the wake of growing concerns over abuse and exploitation in the care visa system. Since 2022, over 470 sponsor licenses have been revoked due to violations, leaving tens of thousands of overseas workers jobless. Migrant care workers have reported being charged illegal recruitment fees, denied wages, and assigned phantom jobs.
To address these issues, the Home Office has pledged new protections, including banning employers from passing sponsorship costs onto workers and expanding penalties for non-compliance. However, critics argue that ending overseas recruitment punishes legitimate providers and workers, rather than fixing the underlying causes of exploitation.
The Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants has urged the government to adopt a “Workplace Justice Visa” to allow exploited workers to remain in the country while seeking new, lawful employment.
Political Ramifications and Public Response
The crackdown on care worker recruitment is part of a broader overhaul that also includes tightening student visa rules and restricting low-skilled visa routes in other sectors such as hospitality and construction. These changes aim to bolster domestic labor market participation while aligning with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s goal of creating a “controlled, selective, and fair” migration system.
The Labour-led government is also facing pressure from opposition parties and voters. Reform UK, buoyed by recent local election gains, has seized on migration as a key issue. Conservative MPs have demanded a binding cap on annual immigration, with Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp accusing Labour of “dragging its feet” and calling for more aggressive reforms.
Meanwhile, care advocates and trade unions have condemned the policy. Christina McAnea, General Secretary of Unison, said: “The NHS and care sector would have collapsed without international staff. This hostile policy punishes those who have kept our system going.”
Online, public sentiment has been sharply divided. Some users praised the government for taking action on high migration, while others accused it of abandoning vulnerable populations and undermining the care workforce.
Uncertain Future for Social Care
In response to criticism, the government has promised to establish a “fair pay agreement” for care workers and expand domestic training opportunities. The Casey Commission, launched in April, is expected to deliver long-term recommendations for reforming adult social care but sector leaders argue that immediate support is needed.
With the national living wage at just £12.21 per hour, care jobs struggle to attract and retain domestic applicants. Age UK has warned that without migrant workers, many care services “will collapse entirely,” placing additional strain on the already-overburdened NHS.
The government’s ability to balance immigration control with the urgent needs of the social care sector will be tested in the months ahead. For now, providers face a precarious future one that many fear could lead to further instability in a system already at breaking point.
—ENDS—
For further details on the immigration reforms, visit the Home Office website or review the full Immigration White Paper at www.gov.uk.
