The Home Office and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) have announced significant changes aimed at combating visa abuse and worker exploitation. These measures are particularly focussed on protecting overseas workers sponsored to work in the care sector in the UK.
Extended Cooling-Off Periods for Sponsor Licence Revocation
One of the key changes for immigration sponsor licence holders is the proposed extension of the cooling-off period for employers who have their sponsor licences revoked. Currently, employers who have their sponsor licence revoked face a maximum ban of 12 months. It is anticipated that this will be extended for serious and repeat breaches to at least two years. This measure is designed to deter employers from repeatedly breaching immigration laws and from operating without regard to employment laws, such as by failing to pay the national minimum wage.
Changes to Sponsorship Costs
Another important change is the prohibition on charging workers for sponsorship costs. Currently employers are not permitted to pass the Immigration Skills Charge on to their employees. This prohibition is expected to be extended to other sponsorship costs, although the specific costs that cannot be charged have not yet been detailed. This move aims to prevent exploitation and ensure that workers are not placed in a position of labour bondage in which they cannot leave an employer due to high levels of debt.
Enhanced Enforcement Actions
The Government has intensified its enforcement actions against sponsor licence holders, particularly in the care sector, revoking approximately 450 licences in the sector.
Funding
Additionally, £16 million has been allocated to regional partnerships to combat unethical recruitment practices and support displaced sponsored care workers affected by their sponsor’s licence revocation.
These measures reflect the government’s commitment to ensuring fair treatment of overseas workers and maintaining the integrity of the UK’s immigration system.
For more details, you can read the full press release here.
If you need any further information about these new measures, then please get in touch with our Immigration solicitors who are hand to answer your questions.
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The content of this page is a summary of the law in force at the date of publication and is not exhaustive, nor does it contain definitive advice. Specialist legal advice should be sought in relation to any queries that may arise.
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