A faction within the Tory Right, known as the New Conservatives, is urging ministers in the United Kingdom to close temporary visa programs for care workers.
This initiative is part of their strategy to reduce net migration before the upcoming presidential election next year.
Reportedly supported by former Home Secretary Suella Braverman and former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, the group argues that the influx of migrants into the UK has reached unsustainable levels.
Over the past two years, statistics reveal a net migration of 1.279 million people, exerting considerable strain on accommodations and amenities, sparking concerns among the British populace.
During a recent interview, current UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak acknowledged that net migration levels are excessively high.
This admission followed a statement from one of his senior ministers, deeming the record number of arrivals last year as “unacceptable.”
Revised estimates from the Office for National Statistics indicate that net migration into the UK peaked at a record-high of 745,000 in 2022, three times higher than pre-Brexit levels. This surge contradicts the Conservative Party’s 2019 manifesto pledge to reduce overall migration numbers.
Adding to the concerns, National Health Service Trusts asserted on Friday that relying on workers on visas to support social care has become unsustainable.
The Home Office, the UK’s migration department, on Thursday, noted that 143,990 health and care worker visas were granted in the year ending September 2023.
This is more than double the 61,274 for the year to September 2022.
The top three nationalities, according to the Home Office, on these visas are Indians, Nigerians and Zimbabweans.
Nigeria has the most significant percentage increase behind Zimbabwe at 169 per cent and India, with 76 per cent.
In terms of dependents granted health and care work visas, Nigeria spiked by 329 per cent from 10,533 to 45,203.
The increase in the number of healthcare workers migrating to the UK is attributed to its cheap and easy entry migration conditions as the country faces a shortage of healthcare workers due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
As of March 2023, the number of Nigerian-trained doctors practising in the UK climbed to 11,001, according to findings.
This has created an unprecedented rise in non-EU immigration to the UK, mainly driven by migrants coming for work on health and care visas, according to the statistics.
Statistics also showed that health and care work visas were the most common type of work visa on which dependents came to the UK, and are driving the increase in immigration of those on work-dependent visas.
The 143,990 figure is just for main visa applicants and does not include dependents, which can grow from two per person to nine, or even ten, including extended family members.
In the temporary visa scheme, medical professionals can come to, or stay in the UK to do an eligible job with the NHS, an NHS supplier, or in adult social care, on a health and care worker visa.
Visas last for up to five years and can be extended, while partners and children can also apply to join as the main applicant’s ‘dependants’.
