Trade unions and stakeholders in the United Kingdom’s care industry have voiced strong opposition to the government’s plan to halt the hiring of care workers from overseas, warning that such a move could deal a heavy blow to an already struggling sector.
According to The Guardian UK, the government is expected to release a new immigration white paper on Monday, outlining proposals to curb legal migration — including a ban on foreign recruitment in the care sector.
The policy is part of efforts to prioritize the employment of local workers.
However, union leaders and care industry representatives argue that the sector, which is grappling with severe staff shortages and financial stress, relies significantly on international workers to keep services running.
Professor Martin Green, CEO of Care England, described the proposed ban as deeply damaging. “This sector has been under immense pressure due to limited funding and soaring costs. International recruitment may not have been a cure-all, but it offered vital relief. To eliminate that without any alternative support is simply cruel,” he said.
Unison, the UK’s largest trade union, also criticised the move and called on the government to clarify the future of foreign care workers already in the country.
Christina McAnea, Unison’s General Secretary, emphasised the vital role migrants play in sustaining the UK’s health and social care systems.
“These workers have kept services afloat. Now they face uncertainty and fear. The government must guarantee their security and future,” she said.
McAnea also took issue with how care roles have been labelled as “low-skilled”, urging the government to improve pay and respect for care professionals.
Official data reveals that in 2023, more than 58,000 foreign nationals joined the UK care workforce via the skilled worker visa route, making up nearly half of new hires in the sector.
Despite the backlash, the Labour government has defended its stance, framing it as a necessary step to reform the immigration system and invest in domestic talent.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, in a BBC interview, argued that there remains untapped potential within the local workforce.
“Employers should prioritise hiring individuals who are already in the UK, including those on valid visas who are yet to be engaged. While there may be room to extend certain visas, we believe it’s time to end the inflow of new care workers from abroad,” she said.
The proposal has sparked a national conversation, with growing concerns that the decision may deepen the staffing crisis and place further strain on families seeking quality care services.
