Labour’s promise of better wages for carers risks falling flat without fixes to visa policies—frontline workers and experts warn of sector collapse.

The Care Sector’s Impossible Choice: Higher Pay or Enough Workers?

The UK’s social care system is caught in a perfect storm. On one hand, Prime Minister Keir Starmer has pledged “fair pay agreements” to boost wages for care workers—a move long demanded by unions. On the other, his government has maintained strict immigration rules that threaten to choke off the overseas recruitment the sector relies on.

The contradiction raises a critical question: Is this genuine reform or just political spin to mask deeper failures?

The Immigration Squeeze vs. the Staffing Crisis

Last year, 146,000 care workers came to the UK on visas, filling gaps in a sector with 152,000 vacancies. However, recent changes—including bans on bringing dependents and higher salary thresholds—have already led to a 55% drop in health and care visa applications (Home Office data, Q2 2024).

Alexander Luyima, Care Worker in Ontario and Director of Community Programs for African Descent Ontario:
“This is a global workforce issue. In Canada, we’ve seen how restrictive immigration policies create care deserts—communities without enough workers to support aging populations. The UK is repeating the same mistakes. Fair pay means nothing if there aren’t enough hands to do the work.”

Meanwhile, 80% of UK care providers warn they cannot meet higher wage demands without government funding (National Care Forum).

Starmer’s ‘Fair Pay’ Promise: Progress or PR?

Labour’s plan includes:
✔ Sector-wide wage agreements to lift pay above the minimum wage
✔ Career progression pathways to retain staff leaving for NHS roles
✔ Funding negotiations with local authorities

But critics highlight glaring gaps:
❌ No exemption for care workers from visa rules
❌ No clear funding source—will taxes rise, or will councils bear the cost?

Dr. Jane Townson, CEO, Homecare Association:
“Without proper investment, higher wages could push smaller care providers under. We need a long-term workforce strategy, not piecemeal promises.”

The Human Cost: Frontline Perspectives

Maria Fernandez, a care worker from Portugal now in London, shares:
“After the dependents ban, half my team quit. Better pay is good, but if I can’t have my family with me, I’ll leave too.”

James Carter, a UK-born carer, adds:
“We’re doing double shifts just to keep our home running. Higher wages won’t help if there’s nobody left to work them.”

International Lessons: What Canada Shows Us

Luyima notes:
“Ontario learned the hard way. When we made it harder for care workers to immigrate, waitlists for home care grew by 30% in two years. The UK should look at our new pilot programs that combine fair wages with smart immigration pathways.”

Key takeaways:

1. Temporary visa fixes (like Canada’s Caregiver Program) can prevent immediate collapse

2. Wage increases must be fully funded to avoid provider bankruptcies

3. Workforce planning needs 5–10-year horizons, not election cycles

Expert Consensus: The Way Forward

1. Visa Reforms – “Immediate care worker exemptions from immigration caps,” says Migration Watch UK

2. Funding Guarantees – “The Treasury must cover wage increases, not councils,” insists the Local Government Association

3. Global Recruitment – “Learn from Canada and Australia’s targeted programs,” recommends the King’s Fund

Conclusion: Half Measures Risk Lives

While fair pay is morally and economically vital, Labour’s current approach ignores the immigration elephant in the room. Without either:

Emergency visa adjustments for care roles, or

A fully funded domestic training revolution,

the sector faces catastrophic shortages within 18 months (Oxford Economics projection).

Final Word from Luyima:
“Care work isn’t just a job—it’s the backbone of civilization. Treat it that way: pay properly, staff adequately, and stop playing politics with people’s lives.”

Published in The Hoima Post | Social Policy & Global Affairs
Byline: Alexander Luyima (Ontario Care Worker/Director), with UK Correspondent: JM Legal
Date: May 15th, 2025