The number of licences allowing firms to recruit migrant workers has more than doubled in the past year, according to new Home Office figures. A total of 1,948 licences were cancelled in the 12 months to June 2025, compared with 937 the year before. Officials said employers were found to be abusing the visa system by underpaying or exploiting staff and, in some cases, using work permits as a backdoor route for migrants to remain in the UK.

The government said the rise in enforcement reflected stronger intelligence sharing between departments and police forces, moving away from random spot checks towards targeted investigations. Offending employers were concentrated in sectors such as social care, hospitality, retail and construction, with breaches including failing to provide jobs as promised and paying below legal requirements. Some firms were accused of trapping workers in exploitative conditions by tying their immigration status to their employment.

Migration Minister Mike Tapp insisted the clampdown showed Labour was “delivering on its pledge” to put British workers first, while also tackling visa overstayers. Newly appointed Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood added that the UK could go further by suspending visas from countries unwilling to take back migrants with no right to stay.

Critics, however, argue the measures fall short. Conservative MPs accused ministers of “tinkering” with the system while migration remains high. Business leaders warned that restrictions risk undermining key industries reliant on overseas staff, while campaigners called for better training of UK workers. Think tank Migration Watch said employers should be required to recruit locally before turning abroad.