Crushing Blow for Care Homes
Care homes all over the United Kingdom have warned of potential widespread closures after new visa restrictions. Prime Minister Starmer announced changes ending the overseas care worker visa route, which has provided thousands of opportunities since 2022. Hence, many care providers have expressed deep concern that they will not be able to fill critical vacancies.
Starmer’s Immigration Shift
Starmer’s administration has committed to reducing net migration, a key manifesto promise. Consequently, Labour moved to tighten immigration rules, aiming to grow the domestic workforce instead.
Correspondingly, the care worker visa will no longer be available, and authorities will not replace it for existing visa holders. At the moment, this policy shift is already drawing criticism from within the care homes sector.
Migrant Workers in Care Homes
Currently, one in five care workers in England is from overseas, according to adult social care organization body, Skills for Care.
Without them, care homes say they face impossible recruitment challenges. Moreover, wages and working conditions have failed to attract enough local applicants. In some regions, care providers rely on foreign staff for over 40% of their workforce.
Care Homes on the Brink
In Liverpool, a small chain of care homes has warned it may close two sites by winter.
One manager claims that despite advertising for months, no localis applied. Without overseas staff, they may shut down.
Additionally, larger operators of care homes echo this concern, stating the policy risks widespread service disruption.
Voices from the Frontline
Speaking to BBC, Nigerian Folake, on a care sponsorship visa until January 2026, expressed her dismay with the UK’s move.
“I came with the hope of settling here in the United Kingdom and building a better life for my children,” she remarked about the impact to workers at care homes. “It’s shocking and depressing, and it’s dashing that hope.”
Folake also noted that many people on a care sponsorship visa don’t intend to become illegal immigrants or asylum seekers. Rather, they would just like to work in the UK legally and live their lives.
Because of the visa changes, Folake may have to leave by next year.
Sector Pushback Grows
Vicky Haines, managing director of Kingsway Care care homes, has warned of the pending repercussions of the government “making recruitment decisions they are unqualified to do.”
“To suggest the pool of displaced workers already in the UK is the ultimate solution for all care providers is extremely short-sighted,” Haines told The Independent. “The care sector is being punished for governmental failings.”
Government Response
In response, a Home Office spokesperson defended the move as part of a broader migration reset. They emphasized plans to increase training for British workers and raise care wages through funding changes. Nonetheless, sector leaders say these measures will arrive too late.
This policy shift could severely impact Britain’s aging population. With fewer staff, waiting lists for care placements are expected to grow sharply. In addition, families may have to take on more unpaid care duties. Meanwhile, comparisons to Australia and Canada show that some nations still welcome foreign staff for care homes.
Photo by Kristine Wook on Unsplash
