The UK government will officially end the recruitment of care workers from abroad later this year, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper confirmed today in an interview with the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg.

The move means that social care providers will no longer be permitted to hire staff through the popular health and care visa scheme — a route that has enabled tens of thousands of overseas workers to fill critical vacancies in the UK’s care sector since the pandemic.

Instead, care providers will be expected to source staff domestically or hire workers already residing in the UK under different visa schemes. This may include those who have lost sponsorship from previous employers or individuals on other immigration pathways.

Cooper defended the decision as part of the Labour government’s wider efforts to reform the immigration system and prioritise homegrown employment. “We need to ensure the sector isn’t over-reliant on immigration and that good jobs with fair pay attract people already here in the UK,” she said.

However, the announcement has triggered immediate concern among social care leaders and industry bodies. Many argue that international recruitment has become an essential “lifeline” amid chronic staffing shortages, rising demand, and a growing elderly population.

Sector representatives say the move could have severe consequences for the quality and availability of care. “This decision risks pushing our already strained system over the edge,” one care organisation spokesperson said. “Without international staff, some providers may not be able to safely continue operating.”

Care leaders are now urging the government to consult closely with the industry and develop robust domestic workforce strategies — including improved pay, working conditions, and training pathways — to ensure the sector can meet the UK’s growing care needs without relying on overseas workers.

The change is expected to take effect by the end of the year, although a specific date has not yet been confirmed.

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