Government advisers have warned that changes to UK migrant rules risk “an increased risk of exploitation” of care workers.

The report by the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) warned the exemption of health and social care workers from the higher £38,700 salary threshold for overseas workers created a “widening divide” posed an “increased risk of exploitation for lower-paid occupations, such as care workers”.

The general salary threshold for care workers and senior care workers on the Shortage Occupation List is £23,200 from April 2024.

Home Secretary James Cleverly announced changes to the salary thresholds in December as part of a package of measures designed to cut net migration.

A ban on overseas care worker dependants comes into force on 11 March.

A government spokesperson said: “The salary criteria is designed to ensure resident workers’ wages cannot be undercut and ensures the skilled worker route is not used as a source of low-cost labour. 

“As the government made clear when it commissioned the MAC, roles should also only be included where they will meaningfully benefit from the discount to the salary threshold, and where it is sensible to offer this discount to employers.”