Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Care Companies: Exploitation of Migrant Workers

Monday 5 January 2026 · 4 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Mrs Elsie Blundell inquired about the uncertainty faced by social care workers regarding their employer-sponsored visas.
  • Vikki Slade questioned the Government on whether care workers would be considered in the same group as NHS workers for a faster visa route.
  • Mohammad Yasin raised a case of exploitation where a care worker was asked to pay 3,600 for a sponsorship application that never occurred, and the money was not refunded.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Elsie Blundell Lab Heywood and Middleton North
Care & Healthcare Workers
Context

Several social care workers in Mrs Blundell's constituency have expressed profound uncertainty regarding their employer-sponsored visas, despite the critical role they play.

Question

In recent weeks, I have heard from several social care workers in my constituency who have outlined to me the profound uncertainty that they face regarding their employer-sponsored visas, despite the critical role that these workers play in supporting the most vulnerable in our communities. What consideration has been given to the idea that these employer-sponsored visas could be replaced with sector-wide schemes to prevent continued poor practice from some employers?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mike Tapp)

This Government acknowledge and are grateful for the significant contribution that health and social care workers put in, day in and day out, across the country. However, it was right that we ended the overseas recruitment of care workers due to the high levels of abuse that many workers were experiencing at the hands of dodgy employers. There are no current plans to replace the current sponsorship arrangement for care workers.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No commitment on replacing employer-sponsored visas with sector-wide schemes

How: No Current Plans

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q2 Vikki Slade Lib Dem Mid Dorset and North Poole
Care & Healthcare Workers Social Care
Context

Concerns over the decision to end overseas recruitment for social care visas.

Question

I am disappointed to hear that the Minister is not looking at a common certificate of sponsorship. Has he made a decision, with his colleagues, on whether care workers will be considered in the same group as NHS workers in relation to the faster route? Otherwise, we are going to end up with a massive hole in our services, with social care yet again being the Cinderella service to the NHS.

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mike Tapp)

We must remember that hundreds of thousands came into the country to fill just tens of thousands of jobs, so this is the right approach here. There are no plans at this time, but the mechanism of delivery is currently at consultation, and that closes on 12 February.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No decision has been made regarding care workers being considered in the same group as NHS workers for a faster visa route

How: No Plans At This Time

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q3 Mohammad Yasin Lab Bedford
Immigration Care & Healthcare Workers Employment
Context

A constituent, a migrant care worker, was asked to pay £3,600 for a sponsorship application that never happened.

Question

My constituent, a migrant care worker, was asked to pay £3,600 to her employer, a private care company, for a sponsorship application that never happened. The company is now keeping the money, with no legal reason, and refusing to engage with my constituent. This is not the only case I am aware of. Will the Minister take stronger action, including suspending licences and prosecuting companies that exploit vulnerable workers?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mike Tapp)

It is important that we hold dodgy employers to account. Penalties are in place for those employing illegal workers, as is a potential prison sentence for illegal working. In the care sector, we saw hundreds of thousands come into the country to fill a very small number of jobs, so it is right to stop this social care visa at this point.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No commitment on taking stronger action against exploitative employers

How: Right To Stop

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q4 Gideon Amos Lib Dem Taunton and Wellington
Immigration Care & Healthcare Workers
Context

Concerns over the retroactive breaking of promises to health and social care workers.

Question

Health and social care workers fear not only exploitation, but that promises may be retroactively broken by the Government. Will the Minister confirm that the promise of indefinite leave to remain after five years for health and social care workers at Musgrove Park hospital in my constituency will be honoured?

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mike Tapp)

When visas end, people should leave the country, and that is what this Government will ensure. There is no route for these people unless they switch, and that is of course open to them at this point. If the visa ends, they must leave the country.

Not addressed: No confirmation on honouring promises of indefinite leave to remain

How: People Should Leave, No Route

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)