Received from: PCS
Merged into composite C03
Congress recognises that the Skilled Workers Visa scheme, introduced in the aftermath of Brexit, has consistently failed to meet its intended objectives. While the policy was designed to facilitate the entry and retention of essential workers to address skill shortages across the UK, its rigid criteria and income thresholds have instead exacerbated labour gaps in critical sectors.
The current framework has led to the unjust deportation of workers – many of whom are Black and from marginalised communities – simply because their earnings fall below arbitrary thresholds. Alarmingly, this includes dozens of civil servants employed by the government itself, highlighting the contradiction of a state that underpays its workforce while penalising them for it.
Congress condemns this policy failure and calls for the immediate repeal of the existing legislation. Any replacement must be developed in full consultation with the Trades Union Congress (TUC) and include robust protections for all current visa holders, particularly those already contributing to public service.
Until such reforms are enacted, Congress commits to supporting all workers facing deportation under this flawed system. We further demand an immediate suspension of all deportation proceedings related to the Skilled Workers Visa until a fair and humane alternative is implemented.
Public and Commercial Services Union
Amendment
After paragraph 2, insert new paragraph:
“Closing the Social Care Visa scheme to new applicants while increasing income thresholds for renewals leads to vital care workers being deported and care homes with unsafe staffing levels.”
In paragraph 4. sentence 2, after “until a fair and humane alternative is implemented”, insert:
“, to lower visa renewal thresholds and address staffing crises through raising wages and establishing minimum staffing level requirements in care.”
GMB