In the twelve months leading up to December, British authorities issued 210,098 work visas, reflecting a 37% decrease compared to the previous year, according to immigration data from the Home Office.
The number of visas granted to health and social care workers dropped significantly by 81%, totaling 27,174. This decline follows restrictions implemented by the previous Conservative government in an effort to reduce net migration, a trend that has been ongoing since early 2024. Immigration has remained a central issue for the country, frequently cited by voters as a concern. It also played a crucial role in the 2016 decision to leave the European Union.
Some argue that high levels of migration place additional strain on already stretched public services, while others emphasize the importance of foreign workers in addressing labor shortages, particularly in healthcare. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has committed to lowering immigration levels and, in November, announced plans to reform the points-based immigration system. The proposed changes would shift more responsibility onto businesses to train local workers rather than relying on overseas labor. The announcement came in response to official figures indicating that net migration had reached a record high of over 900,000 in the year leading up to June 2023, surpassing initial estimates.
