A group of Tory MPs has called on the government to close visa schemes for workers in order to slash migrant numbers.

The move is part of a 12 point plan by the New Conservatives to cut migration by 400,000 before the next general election which is due in January 2025.

The group of 25 MPs called for the end to temporary schemes granting eligibility to care workers by only allowing in skilled workers who earn £38,000 a year or more.

Backbencher Miriam Cates told the BBC scrapping temporary visa schemes for care workers would force “employers to look at recruiting local young people”.

Social care workers, care assistants and home care workers qualify for three or five year Health and Care Worker visas having been included on the Shortage Occupation List.

There are currently around 165,000 social care vacancies.

Professor Martin Green, chief executive of Care England, said: “There is a workforce crisis in social care and this government has done absolutely nothing to ensure there is a ready supply of UK care workers. If they cut off access to oversee staff the care sector will not be able to deliver and the hospitals will be at breaking point.”

Sam Monaghan, chief executive at Methodist Homes (MHA) said: “If we were not able to recruit care workers from overseas then vacancies would remain unfilled, the quality of care for vulnerable people would suffer and care homes would once again have to shut their doors to new residents. This would put additional pressure on the NHS as they would struggle to discharge people into care settings. 

“What politicians should be doing is looking at a workforce strategy for the care sector. They need to recognise carers as skilled workers to make it an aspirational career choice, which will in turn help recruitment and retention. There are 165,000 vacancies across the sector, which can be reduced by making sure we are funded appropriately by enabling us to raise wages to the level people deserve for the roles they do. Cutting off a key supply of care workers at a time when 500,000 people nationwide are waiting for care is not the answer.

“The government recently announced its plan for the NHS workforce but without any recognition that the care sector needs support if we are to reduce our reliance on overseas workers. 

A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Care declined to respond directly to the MPs visa demand when contacted by Caring Times, preferring to focus on investment in the social care workforce.

The spokesperson said: “Our recent ‘Next Steps to Put People at the Heart of Care’ plan puts the workforce at the centre, with £250 million for skills, training and career development. This is part of an overall investment of £700 million in adult social care reform.

“We have also made up to £7.5 billion available in additional funding to support adult social care and discharge over the next two years – putting the system on a stronger financial footing and helping local authorities address waiting lists, low fee rates, and workforce pressures.”