UK visa changes under scrutiny: PAC warns of migrant worker exploitation

A new report from the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has raised serious concerns about the UK government’s Skilled Worker visa reforms particularly their impact on migrant workers in the social care sector.

The PAC’s investigation found that the Home Office expanded the visa route in 2022 to alleviate workforce shortages in social care without fully assessing the risks of non-compliance and exploitation. The visa system, which ties a migrant’s right to remain in the UK to their employer through a sponsorship model, has left many vulnerable to abuse. Evidence submitted to the inquiry highlighted cases of debt bondage, excessive working hours, and exploitative conditions.

Slow response to known risks

Despite identifying signs of exploitation early on, the Home Office was slow to act. The report criticises the department for lacking a clear understanding of how many skilled worker visa holders have been referred as potential victims of modern slavery. It also questions the effectiveness of safeguards for workers whose sponsors lose their license.

Oversight and enforcement gaps

The PAC found that the Home Office has not analysed exit checks since the visa route was introduced, leaving it unclear how many migrants leave the UK when their visas expire or remain illegally. There is also no data on whether workers who lose sponsorship are taken on by other employers or what happens to them afterward.

Exploitation abroad and bogus agents

The report also highlights insufficient action to prevent exploitation in migrants’ home countries. Bogus agents charging exorbitant fees or falsely promising jobs in the UK remain a significant issue. The PAC urges the Home Office to work across government departments to develop a coordinated response to these challenges.

Policy changes and future risks

In a recent move to curb net migration, the government announced an end to overseas recruitment of care workers. The PAC warns that such decisions must be informed by robust evidence and risk assessments. It calls for greater cross-government collaboration, improved data collection, and stronger enforcement mechanisms to protect migrant workers and uphold visa compliance.

These findings highlight the urgent need for a visa system that balances labour market needs with human rights protections. Without reform, the UK risks enabling modern slavery under the guise of skilled migration.