Reform council leader urges Labour to reconsider restrictions on care worker visas

The leader of a Reform-run county council has expressed concern about a planned tightening of visas for health and care workers, despite the party's commitment to reducing net migration. Linden Kemkaran, the leader of Kent council, highlighted the potential impact on local care homes due to the changes, including the end of a specific visa route for care workers. Kemkaran and Diane Morton, the council's cabinet member for social care, emphasized the risk of losing overseas care staff and the challenges posed by a rise in employer national insurance contributions.

About 20% to 25% of the county's social care workforce is from overseas and relies on licensed sponsorships from employers, a route set to expire soon as part of broader migration rule changes announced by the government. The council's letter to the home secretary and care minister raised concerns about the impact on displaced social care workers and the new minimum salary requirement of £41,000 for skilled worker visas.

The letter urged a reconsideration of the changes, citing the unsustainable nature of the new requirements and the potential consequences for care providers. While Reform's national stance on the issue is not definitive, the party's general approach favors a significant reduction in overall migration and restrictions on work visas. Party leaders like Nigel Farage have advocated for stricter controls on migration, including time-limited visas for overseas care workers.

Reform UK and the Home Office were approached for comments on the matter.