UK immigration chaos

The UK Home Office lacks reliable data to track whether foreign workers leave the country after their visas expire, according to a recent report by Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC). The committee sharply criticises the ministry for failing to analyse “exit check” data since 2020, despite 1.18 million people having entered the UK via the skilled worker visa route.

The report highlights a critical lack of basic information on how long visa holders stay and if they depart after their visas lapse. The Home Office has shown “little curiosity” regarding the system’s effectiveness, relying on airline passenger lists without meaningful analysis. Concerns are also raised about the exploitation of workers, including debt traps and overwork, to which the ministry responds “slowly and ineffectively.”

The new government blames the previous administration for “unprecedented net migration” and promises reforms through the immigration white paper announced in May. Measures include re-raising the skilled worker visa threshold, ending overseas recruitment in the care sector, and suspending the highest number of sponsor licenses. However, experts point to a lack of transparency, indicating that systemic issues persist.

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