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Certificate of Common Sponsorship
22 January 2025
Lead MP
Neil Duncan-Jordan
Poole
Lab
Responding Minister
Seema Malhotra
Tags
ImmigrationEmploymentBusiness Compliance
Word Count: 8570
Other Contributors: 11
At a Glance
Neil Duncan-Jordan raised concerns about certificate of common sponsorship in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
The Government should review immigration policies that increase vulnerability to exploitation, moving towards a sector-wide sponsorship scheme run by an independent body focused on health and social care.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Migrant social care workers in the UK are under-protected by employment rights and victimised by immigration rules. Unscrupulous employers have ultimate power over these workers' ability to live and work in the UK, leading to high levels of exploitation and fear.
Carla Denyer
Green
Bristol Central
Details cases of abuse and threats faced by care workers, emphasizing the need to address the power imbalance between employers and employees.
Chris Hinchliff
Lab
North East Hertfordshire
Supports urgent structural reform of the social care system to create a national care service that resolves workforce insecurity.
Jayne Kirkham
Lab/Co-op
Truro and Falmouth
Joined the debate, discussing Unison’s lobby last year where they met migrant health and social care workers on tier 2 visas who faced appalling employment practices. Urged for a certificate of common sponsorship to empower these workers.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Supported the proposal, citing examples from his constituency where seasonal workers are vital for industries like agrifood. Advocated for simplifying visa processes to reduce bureaucratic burdens and facilitate easier employer transitions for migrant healthcare workers.
Katie Lam
Con
Weald of Kent
Expressed concerns about the economic self-defeating nature of underpaying health and social care workers, highlighting exploitation risks and fiscal impacts, while questioning the Minister on proposed reforms.
Lisa Smart
LD
Hazel Grove
The Liberal Democrats seek a fairer visa system that supports the country while treating everyone with dignity and respect. They propose establishing a single enforcement body to combat modern slavery and worker exploitation, reversing the ban on bringing dependants for health and care workers visas.
Sarah Russell
Lab
Congleton
Discusses the exploitation of both care workers and those receiving care, highlighting significant discrepancies between payment rates offered by councils and legally compliant wages.
Worcestershire
Welcomed the Minister's understanding of exploitation and willingness to address it through measures, but pointed out that only 5% of people losing their sponsorship can find another role within a 60-day period.
Nick Timothy
Con
West Suffolk
Asked Lisa Smart about the Liberal Democrats' policy regarding dependants on health and social care visas.
Steve Witherden
Lab
Montgomeryshire and Glyndŵr
Welcomed the debate, highlighting serious concerns about current visa rules that tie migrant workers to a single employer. Proposed introduction of a certificate of common sponsorship to empower workers and raise standards in industries dependent on migrant labour.
The Minister for Care
Michelle O’Sullivan
Discussed the issues faced by health and care workers, particularly in lower-paying sectors like adult social care.
Government Response
Seema Malhotra
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department
Government Response
Acknowledged the need to manage net migration better than previous chaos, recognised contributions of international care workers but raised concerns about their treatment. Highlighted rule changes including stopping dependants and expressed willingness to meet Unison for discussions on wider issues. Explores steps taken to address exploitation of international recruits, including measures against rogue employers and support for displaced workers. Emphasises the importance of genuine vacancy test application in ensuring care work availability. Confirmed the implementation of policy changes to prevent employers from passing on costs related to sponsor licences and certificates, aiming to ban flouting employment laws in immigration engagement. Emphasised future integration of Employment Rights Bill protections into sponsorship system.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.