Changes to UK visa rules led to modern slavery, MPs say
Changes to visas by the Home Office failed to properly consider the risks of non-compliance with visa rules and exploitation of migrant workers.
In a report on the skilled worker visa route, which was opened up to help the social care sector during the pandemic, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) said it is not convinced by the Home Office’s approach to meeting its responsibility for preventing modern slavery.
The Skilled Worker visa system is based on a sponsorship model where a migrant’s right to remain in the UK is dependent on their employer. This reliance makes migrant workers vulnerable to exploitation.
There is widespread evidence of workers suffering debt bondage, working excessive hours and exploitative conditions, with multiple organisations providing written evidence to the PAC’s inquiry highlighting the problems in the current system.
When the Home Office expanded the visa route in 2022, it identified evidence of exploitation of migrant care workers, but was initially slow to respond. The PAC’s report shows that it does not know how many people with skilled worker visas had been referred as potential victims of modern slavery.
It is also not clear whether arrangements to safeguard care workers whose employers’ sponsor licence has been revoked are working effectively. Sufficient action has not been taken to prevent exploitation in applicants’ home countries and identify bogus agents overseas who charge applicants unnecessary fees or claim to be able to find them work in the UK.
Other major issues found
The PAC further found that the Home Office does not understand the extent to which people are complying with the terms of their visa and leaving the UK when they should.
Neither does it understand whether those who have lost their sponsorship are taken on by other sponsors or what happens to people at the end of their visa.
The Home Office has not analysed exit checks since the route was introduced, and does not know what proportion of people return to their home country after their visa has expired, and how many may be working illegally in the UK.
The report also notes the government’s recent announcement ending the overseas recruitment of care workers, as part of efforts to reduce net migration. The PAC is concerned about the potential impacts of this decision for the care sector in light of the expected increasing demand in the next decade.
