UK Home Secretary Bans Overseas Care Worker Visas in Migration Crackdown

The UK government, led by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, announced a major immigration crackdown that includes banning the recruitment of care workers from overseas to reduce net migration by up to 50,000 annually. Instead, care homes are urged to recruit domestically or extend visas for migrant care workers already in the UK, aiming to address economic concerns linked to high migration levels and insufficient investment in UK workers. However, industry representatives warn that this move could worsen staffing shortages in care homes, potentially harming vulnerable populations who depend on these services. The crackdown is part of a broader set of reforms, including tougher English language requirements and visa restrictions for skilled migrants, with an overall goal to significantly reduce net migration below 500,000 per year. While the government avoids setting fixed migration targets, opposition figures like Tory Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp argue the measures do not go far enough and call for an annual migration cap. The plans have sparked debate about balancing economic growth, labor market needs, and migration control.