migrantCommenting on the latest Home Office asylum and visa figures published today (Thursday), UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea said:
“Without the support of workers from overseas, the social care sector would have collapsed long ago. Pay rates remain low so care employers are struggling to fill many thousands of vacancies. That’s why it’s so worrying to see applications for health and care worker visas plummet.
“Hostile words and actions from the previous government, notably the ban on dependants, undoubtedly put off many overseas care staff from coming to work in the UK. Instead they’ll have chosen countries with warmer welcomes.
“Other care workers will have been deterred by the many horror stories of the abuse and exploitation of migrants at the hands of cowboy care operators.
“Linking individual employers to the visa and certificate of sponsorship make it hard for ill-treated workers to speak out. If they do, unscrupulous care bosses threaten to cut their hours, deport them or worse.
“That’s why ministers must change the system so visa sponsorship is no longer in the gift of employers. If the government took over the sponsorship, it’d be easier for abused staff to find jobs with other care employers.
“A care sector that’s thousands of staff short can’t provide support to the many elderly and disabled people who still need help. Care homes with lots of vacant posts can be stressful places to work with stretched staff unable to give quality care to residents. That’s why these figures are so concerning.”
Notes to editors:
– There were 27,174 health and care worker visas granted in 2024, an 81% decrease compared to the previous year, according to Home Office data.
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union, with more than 1.3 million members providing public services in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.
Media contacts:
Liz Chinchen M: 07778 158175 E: press@unison.co.uk
Dan Ashley M: 07789 518992 E: d.ashley@unison.co.uk
The article Care visas down, but sector still heavily reliant on overseas staff first appeared on the UNISON National site.
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