A UK government scheme designed to rematch exploited migrant care workers with new employers has only helped less than 4% (941 out of 29,000) of those referred, according to analysis by the Work Rights Centre. This low success rate raises concerns about the viability of the government's recent plans to ban new international recruitment for care roles, as 131,000 social care vacancies remain unfilled and bona fide care providers are hesitant to hire from the displaced worker pool due to higher payroll costs.
Less than 4% of exploited care workers helped by UK government scheme
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A UK government scheme designed to rematch exploited migrant care workers with new employers has only helped less than 4% (941 out of 29,000) of those referred, according to analysis by the Work Rights Centre. This low success rate raises concerns about the viability of the government's recent plans to ban new international recruitment for care roles, as 131,000 social care vacancies remain unfilled and bona fide care providers are hesitant to hire from the displaced worker pool due to higher payroll costs.
Trending- 1 Since 2022: At least 470 care providers had their licence to sponsor migrant care workers removed
- 2 May 2024 - April 2025: Thousands of carers referred to government job-finding services
- 3 As of 30 April: 941 migrant workers reported finding alternative employment through the scheme
- 4 Last month: Government announced plans to ban new recruitment from abroad for care roles
- 5 Since April: Employers wanting to recruit migrant care workers need to first consider recruiting from the pool of displaced workers
- Thousands of exploited migrant care workers remain in limbo
- Social care vacancies remain unfilled (131,000)
- Pressure on caring for England's frail and elderly likely to mount
- Questions raised about the viability of government's new recruitment ban plans
What: A UK government scheme to rematch exploited migrant care workers with new employers has only helped less than 4% of those referred, despite thousands of social care vacancies.
When: Between May 2024 and April 2025 (workers referred), since 2022 (care providers had licenses removed), as of 30 April (data revealed), last month (government announced plans to ban new recruitment), since April (new employer requirement).
Where: United Kingdom, England.
Why: The scheme is not effectively connecting exploited workers with new jobs due to factors like employers shying away from higher payroll costs for new recruits from the displaced cohort, and the scheme's design.
How: The government implemented a scheme to refer exploited workers to job-finding services, but its effectiveness is low, leading to calls for more flexible visa options and tougher penalties for non-compliant employers.