Moreover, sweeping efforts to curb the program were implemented last year with little research into the potential consequences on businesses, the NAO said.“The Home Office and departments must make better use of data to understand the impacts of changes to the skilled worker visa route, improve customer experiences and prevent the exploitation of visa holders,” said NAO Comptroller and Auditor General Gareth Davies. Ministries should work with other government bodies to better understand how to address skills shortages, the watchdog said. “This will link our immigration, skills and visa systems so we can grow our domestic workforce and end the reliance on overseas labour to boost economic growth.”More than 900,000 foreigners have been granted skilled worker visas in the five years since then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s government created the program. The Conservatives, Johnson’s party, have also adopted a harder line on immigration since going into opposition and electing Kemi Badenoch as leader.The skilled worker route allows companies in certain industries where there is a shortage of workers to sponsor migrants, offering them a job that is tied to that employer. The government was not operating in a “joined-up” fashion when tackling these issues, the report added.

Source: The Times March 17, 2025 04:09 UTC