Britain experienced a sharp decline in foreign worker visas in 2024, notably in the health and social care sectors, due to restrictions imposed by the previous Conservative government. Visas for health and social care workers dropped by 81 per cent. Prime Minister Keir Starmer plans to reform the points-based immigration system to reduce immigration and encourage businesses to train British workers.
Official data showed on Thursday that Britain saw a sharp fall in the number of visas given to foreign workers in 2024, as far fewer health and social care workers were granted entry following curbs imposed by the previous government. According to Home Office immigration statistics, British authorities granted 210,098 work visas in the twelve months to the end of December, a 37 per cent drop compared to last year as per Home Office immigration statistics.
Visas for health and social care workers slumped by 81 per cent of 27174, continuing a downward trend in early 2024 following the previous Conservative government restriction to cut net migration. For years, immigration has been one of the key issues facing the country as per voters, and it played a significant part in the 2016 vote to leave the European Union. Critics say massive influxes of migrants stretch strained public services, while others say they are needed to fill vacancies in specific sectors, particularly in healthcare.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer, like his predecessors, has vowed to reduce immigration. In November, he said he would produce a plan to reform the points-based immigration system, which would require businesses to train British workers. His proposal was in response to official data showing net migration reached a record of more than 900,000 in the year to June 2023, much higher than original estimates.
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