UK Care Sector Hiring Rules Tightened: Migrant Workers in the UK Given Priority
New UK Care Sector Rules: Employers Must Hire Migrants Already in the Country First
The UK government has introduced strict new UK care sector hiring rules, requiring care employers to prioritise hiring migrant workers already in the country before looking abroad. This change, effective from April 9, is part of a broader initiative to manage immigration and reduce dependency on overseas recruitment.
Prioritising Migrant Workers Already in the UK
Under the new rules, care providers must first demonstrate that they have made efforts to recruit eligible workers already in England before sponsoring new candidates from overseas. The Home Office states that this approach ensures those who migrated to the UK for adult social care jobs have access to employment opportunities.
“From April 9, care providers who want to recruit a new worker from overseas will have to first prove that they have attempted to recruit a worker from within England who needs new sponsorship,” the Home Office announced. This shift aligns with the government’s Plan for Change, aimed at controlling migration while supporting those already contributing to the sector.
Crackdown on Employer Exploitation in the Care Sector
The introduction of these UK care sector hiring rules comes amid concerns about exploitation within the Health & Care Visa route. Launched in 2020 to address post-Brexit and COVID-19 workforce shortages, the visa allowed care providers to recruit international workers. However, reports indicate that some employers have abused the system, charging excessive fees for Certificates of Sponsorship and failing to provide jobs upon arrival.
Between July 2022 and December 2024, the Home Office revoked over 470 sponsor licences in the care sector due to abuse and exploitation. Many migrant workers, particularly from Nigeria, Zimbabwe, India, and the Philippines, have found themselves unemployed or underpaid due to such practices.
Seema Malhotra, Minister for Migration and Citizenship, emphasised, “Those who have come to the UK to support our adult care sector should have the opportunity to do so, free from abuse and exploitation.”
New Minimum Salary Thresholds and Visa Restrictions
In addition to prioritising domestic migrant workers, the government has set a new minimum salary requirement for care workers. As of April 9, all care employees must earn at least £12.82 per hour. This move is aimed at ensuring fair wages and discouraging underpayment practices.
Furthermore, visa regulations for the Short-Term Student route are being tightened. The Home Office now has greater discretion to reject applications suspected of being used as a backdoor for long-term migration. These actions follow stringent penalties introduced last November against employers who fail to provide promised jobs to migrant workers.
Balancing Migration and Workforce Needs
The government’s new UK care sector hiring rules reflect its ongoing efforts to balance migration control with workforce demands. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has committed to reducing net migration, which peaked at 906,000 in the year to June 2023. The high migration levels have sparked public debate, with some protests turning violent after Labour’s election victory.
Stephen Kinnock, Minister of State for Care, highlighted the necessity of these reforms, stating, “As we crack down on shameful rogue operators exploiting overseas workers here in the UK, we must do all we can to get the victims back into rewarding careers in adult social care.”
While these new regulations aim to protect migrant workers and ensure a stable workforce, questions remain about their implementation. The Home Office has yet to clarify how care employers will be monitored to ensure compliance. More details are expected in the upcoming Immigration White Paper due later this year.
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