The number of foreign workers applying for UK visas has fallen to its lowest level in years, following tighter government immigration rules.
In November 2024, the Home Office recorded 4,100 applications for skilled worker visas, the lowest number since January 2022. This figure represents a drop of 2,000 from the previous year.
The number of applications for health and care worker visas also saw a sharp decline, with just 1,900 applications, down from nearly 10,000 in November 2023. Additionally, 3,800 applications were made to bring dependents to the UK.
In August 2023, applications from foreign doctors, nurses, and other health and adult social care professionals peaked at an all-time high of 18,300.
The decline in foreign worker visa applications comes as Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook admitted that the country will remain reliant on foreign builders to address the housing crisis.
However, Pennycook insisted the government would not relax visa restrictions to meet its target of 1.5 million new homes. "We’re not looking at easing restrictions, but we will be reliant, partly as a result of the change made by the previous government, on some foreign workers in this space," he said during an LBC interview.
He further stressed the need to train and develop local talent, with the government having recently allocated £140 million to create training hubs across the country. "We’ve got to do more to train and skill up our own people to work in this [building] industry," he said. "If we don’t take steps to address this, we won’t be able to achieve the 1.5 million new homes target."
