A leading government advisor has said the UK has adopted a deliberate policy of exploiting low-paid overseas workers to prop up the social care system.

Professor Brian Bell, who was reappointed chair of the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) in July, told The Guardian the government had accepted “exploitation as part of the way that we’re going to pay for social care: and that just seems appalling”.

Bell said migration had “become a crutch on which the social care sector is relying”, adding the government had done “literally nothing” on social care workers’ pay.

“We’re seeing this massive increase in immigration into the care sector – it’s now by far the biggest occupation that’s using the immigration system,” he added.

Around 58,000 skilled worker visas were issued to care workers in the year to March 2023, after adult social care was added to the Shortage Occupation List in February 2022.

There were 69,000 visas issue to all other sectors during the same period.

Bell said: “There are clear problems, in terms of exploitation, both in the home country and when they get here, really bad employers doing quite dreadful things.”

Shadow minister for social care, Liz Kendall, said: “For years, the Tories have been warned not to ignore the need for a plan to tackle the crisis in the care workforce. Whilst the New Conservatives arrange conferences to argue about immigration numbers, it is their government’s own failure to recruit, retain and train enough care staff in this country that has left a poorly paid sector reliant on overseas workers.

“It is sickening that people who come here to care are being exploited.

“Labour will stamp out exploitation and end the workforce crisis in adult social care. Labour will recruit and retain more carers by introducing better rights at work, fair pay and proper training that offers opportunities for progression.”

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: “International recruitment has a valuable role to play in helping grow the adult social care workforce, while at home we are investing £250 million to support staff to develop new skills, get better training and develop their careers.

“No staff should feel exploited or harassed. Any concerns regarding potentially unethical and illegal employment practices should be reported to the Gangmaster and Labour Abuse Authority who will investigate fully. Staff should contact the Care Quality Commission if they witness or are a victim of malpractice.”