Public Accounts Committee opens inquiry into skilled worker visa route, calls for evidence

The House of Commons Public Accounts Committee last week opened a call for evidence for its new inquiry into the skilled worker visa route.

Image credit: WikipediaEvidence can be submitted here by 23:59 on Thursday, 24 April 2025.

The Committee's inquiry follows a recent report by the National Audit Office (NAO) on the route's impact and effectiveness. As we reported on EIN last month, the NAO highlighted flaws in the Home Office's management of the route, including a lack of oversight.

The NAO report also raised concerns about changes to the route, particularly the tightening of entry requirements in 2024. These changes were introduced without fully assessing their impact on different industries and regions of the country. PAC's inquiry will focus on the consequences of these changes, the progress of digital improvements in the system, and how the Home Office ensures compliance within the system.

After the release of the NAO report, Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, Chair of the Public Accounts Committee, expressed disappointment that the Home Office lacked a clear understanding of how the skilled worker visa system is operating. This includes a lack of clarity on what happens when visas expire and the impact of recent changes to the route.

Anyone with evidence on these issues is encouraged to make a submission to the Committee's inquiry before the deadline.