Migrant care workers sponsor numerous dependents, exposing visa abuse
Reports reveal that Cameroonian care workers have sponsored up to 180 dependents, exploiting the visa system despite a 2024 ban on dependents for care workers.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
New figures have revealed that migrant care workers in the UK have been sponsoring large numbers of family members to join them, in some cases as many as 15 dependents per worker. The data, reported by the Sunday Times, shows that 12 health and care workers from Cameroon sponsored a total of 180 family members. Ghanaian workers brought in more than eight dependents each, while Bangladeshi workers averaged more than five.
The revelations come despite a ban introduced in 2024 that stopped care workers from bringing dependents. However, those who had already arrived before the cut-off are still allowed to sponsor family members. Critics say this has created a loophole that allows chain migration to continue.
One panellist on a news programme described the figures as "mind-blowing" and questioned how a single care worker could be allowed to bring 15 relatives. Another argued that the system was being abused, pointing out that dependents can access social housing, schools and NHS services, often without contributing enough in taxes to cover the cost.
A Home Office spokesperson said the government had taken significant action to reduce the number of dependents joining workers. Steps include restricting dependents for all occupations below degree level, increasing language requirements and ending overseas recruitment for care workers. The Home Office added that net migration had fallen by 82% in three years and that visa numbers for foreign workers were down 50% from their peak in 2023.
Not all the coverage focused on the highest ratios. One contributor noted that the average number of dependents per care worker across all nationalities was 1.3, suggesting the extreme cases were outliers. But even at that average, the same contributor said dependents were unlikely to be a net positive for the public finances, citing the Office for Budget Responsibility's breakeven earnings analysis.
The debate also touched on wider issues. Some argued that relying on foreign workers to fill care home jobs was a "band-aid solution" that delayed investment in training British workers. Others said that if the welfare system were less generous, more British people would take up these roles. The government has said it will double the route to settlement from five to ten years for care workers, ensuring it is "earned through contribution and integration."
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | GB News |
|---|---|
| 12 health and care workers from Cameroon sponsored 180 family members, an average of 15 each. | |
| Bangladeshi health and care workers brought in more than five dependents each. | |
| Ghanaian health and care workers brought in more than eight dependents each. | |
| The government banned care workers from bringing family members in 2024, but those already in the UK before the cut-off are still allowed to bring dependents. | |
| The Home Office says net migration has fallen by 82% in three years and visa numbers for foreign workers are down 50% from their peak in 2023. |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
This segment focused heavily on the extreme ratios, particularly the Cameroon case of 15 dependents per worker. The tone was alarmist, with the host describing the figures as 'mind-blowing' and suggesting the UK is becoming a 'clam world'. The panel expressed anger at the Home Office for approving such applications and warned about the strain on social housing and public services. There was little mention of the average ratio or the government's recent reforms.
- “12 health and care workers from Cameroon. They have sponsored a total of 180 family members to join them.”
- “One care worker, 15 dependents. I really do think that we are borderline... clam world now in this country.”
- “What home office individual looks at the application, said, oh, 15 dependents. Yeah, that makes sense.”
This segment also highlighted the extreme ratios but included a more balanced perspective. One panellist noted the average ratio was 1.3 dependents per worker, and another discussed the fiscal impact using OBR analysis. The tone was still critical, with strong language about 'chain migration' and the burden on taxpayers, but the panel also debated structural reforms to training British workers. The Home Office statement was read out, giving some weight to the government's response.
- “migrant care workers are still bringing family members to the UK at a ratio as high as 15 for every worker”
- “for that one person to get their bum wiped, we've also got to support 15 more mouths”
- “the average ratio is 1.3 dependents to one worker”
Broadcast Timeline
News broadcasts tracked for this story, in time order.