Even as hundreds of Indian care workers who find themselves unfairly stranded in the nation appeal for aid, the UK government on Wednesday celebrated a notable decline in healthcare visa applications following new limitations on family dependents.
76% decrease in the number of foreign workers
Comparatively to April 2023, latest Home Office statistics show a 76% decline in overseas workers applying for positions in the UK's care sector and a 58% fall in family dependents in the Health and Care Visa category in the first full month since limitations came in place. Indian citizens led the Health and Care visa grants last year.
Reduction in student visa by 79%
Since those new regulations went into effect earlier this year, the number of dependents—that is, spouses and children—in the student visa category likewise reported a notable decline of 79%.
Immigration to Britain continues to decline
UK Home Secretary James Cleverly said, "This monthly data is the most up-to-date picture of visa levels, showing that on current trajectories legal migration continues to fall across key routes."
The British people deserve an immigration system that puts their interests first
"The British people deserve an immigration system based on their interests first. Our approach is about control and justice; to the highly skilled coming here who deserve a respectable salary, to taxpayers who shouldn’s shouldn't be relied upon to fund them, and to British workers who shouldn't be undercut, he said.
The impact of government policies led by the Prime Minister
Released to highlight the effect of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak-led government policies, which is eager to show declining immigration numbers ahead of a general election on July 4 this year, the monthly data reflects.
Registration with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) which regulates the industry
Previously unmonitored care providers in England acting as sponsors for migrants are obliged to register with industry regulator Care Quality Commission (CQC), a measure the government claimed would solve worker exploitation and abuse within the sector since March.
Indian citizens are issued health and welfare visas
With 38,866 issued last year, Indian nationals have topped the Health and Care visa grants and are currently most affected by formerly loose policies controlling dubious recruitment firms.
The victims borrowed thousands of pounds to obtain visas
The National Council of Gujarati Organisations (NCGO) UK, which is campaigning on behalf of many of these workers from Gujarat, said some of these victims had borrowed thousands of pounds to obtain the visas and now face deportation for no fault of theirs.
"Some of these agencies run from hired desks at serviced offices and are phoney. Most of them were given quotas like confetti and their veracity was not examined by the Home Office; Kanti Nagda of the NCGO UK, which is currently appealing on behalf of these workers, stated.
Find work that fits the limited work visa restrictions
Some of these stranded workers—some with families and young children across London, Leicester, Oxford, and other UK cities—are anxiously seeking employment that would fit their limited work visa restrictions or face deportation within sixty days.
60 days is a very short notice for a family to arrange a move-out
Sixty days is a very short notice for a family to arrange departure as it could unsettle their children's schooling, lead to loss of rent or deposit, furnishing costs, air ticket and relocation costs," reads an online petition on the UK Parliament website, which is edging towards the 10,000 signatures mark whereupon the UK government must formally respond.
The Home Office has acknowledged that there is unambiguous proof that carers have been given visas on false pretences, travelling thousands of miles for jobs that either simply do not exist or pay far less than the minimal pay demanded for their work.
Tighter tightening of visa regulations in the UK
It coincides with a more strict tightening of UK visa regulations, notably on student visas, which has caused a 12% decline in these applications. Universities and diaspora groups have cautioned against any more limitations on the post-study Graduate Route visa, which would drastically reduce applications from Indian students, now ranking highest on the count.
Britain has an incredibly clear offer for international students
Among the Cabinet ministers against changes to this visa route, UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron informed the House of Lords on Tuesday: "The point I would always make, even before the Graduate Route with the ability to stay on for two years, is that Britain has an incredibly clear offer to international students from around the world.
There are no restrictions on numbers
"There is no restriction on the numbers that can arrive if they obtain a spot at a British university and an English language qualification. Every nation must get that message loud and clear.
