A scathing report from the House of Lords Justice and Home Affairs Committee has revealed that foreign care workers could cost UK taxpayers £36,000 each over their lifetimes, with the figure rising to over £100,000 if they bring a spouse. The committee warned that 117,000 migrant care workers are expected to receive settlement rights between 2026 and 2030, potentially devastating public finances.
Lifetime Fiscal Costs Detailed
The committee's analysis, drawing on data from the Home Office and the Migration Advisory Council (MAC), estimates that each care worker represents a lifetime net fiscal cost of £36,000. Additionally, 79,000 adult dependants of care workers are expected to settle in the same period, costing £67,000 each. For a care worker bringing one adult dependent—such as a spouse or parent—the total cost could reach £103,000.
For context, the report notes that the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) calculates the average UK-born resident becomes a net fiscal cost only after age 80, when their use of state services like the NHS and pensions outweighs lifetime tax receipts.
Home Office Data Failures
The committee also criticised the Home Office for “woefully inadequate data” on migrants, branding it the “most disturbing revelation” that officials do “not know which or how many migrants are in the UK.” They highlighted a lack of departure records for migrants who arrived or were due to leave between 2021 and 2026, calling it a “historical problem” that must be addressed urgently.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has vowed to overhaul settlement rules after 616,000 people arrived on health and care visas, roughly half of whom are believed to be family members. She previously warned of “dodgy providers” tricking migrants into moving to the UK for non-existent jobs.
Labour's Proposed Reforms
Under Labour's plans, migrants will face a 10-year wait before applying for settlement rights, with those arriving during the so-called 'Boris Wave' facing a 10 to 15-year wait. Applicants must have no criminal record, speak English to A-level standards, and have no debt. Migrants could also be barred from claiming benefits unless they become British citizens.
The committee urged the government to develop and publish a migration plan every three years, setting out principles and priorities. Lord Foster, Chair of the committee, said: “We need better data on who is, and is not, in the UK, and better data on migrant outcomes... Without this picture, misinformation becomes rife.” He added that the settlement system must promote integration as a two-way street, with migrants given tools and opportunities to work and learn English.
Broader Implications
The report has reignited debates over training domestic care workers and improving pay and conditions. The government is expected to respond to the committee's recommendations in due course.
