Starmer under fire as visa loophole exposes 'broken' migration system - London Business News | Londonlovesbusiness.com
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Starmer under fire as visa loophole exposes 'broken' migration system - London Business News | Londonlovesbusiness.com
Home Office data show over 140,000 firms hold sponsorship licences for skilled visa recruitment. At least 400 pizza-branded businesses are licensed, alongside dozens of vape shops, newsagents, and barbers. Critics say these categories reflect low-skilled, high-turnover sectors rather than shortage occupations requiring overseas recruitment. Watchdogs have described enforcement as inadequate, and the National Audit Office warned the Home Office lacks capacity to fully monitor compliance or prevent exploitation. More than 300,000 applications have been submitted over the past five years, and critics argue employers effectively perform border-control functions with minimal oversight.
"“The register of sponsors has exploded in size since 2019,” he said. “Thousands of low-grade companies have effective control of Britain's border policy, with minimal oversight from the Home Office.”"
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