On 15 September 2026, the House of Commons Home Affairs Committee launched a new inquiry into work-based immigration. It will look closely at the Skilled Worker visa, at how the government decides which jobs qualify for sponsorship, and at whether employers rely on overseas recruitment instead of training UK workers.
The Committee is accepting written evidence until 27 October 2026. Its findings could shape UK work visa policy for years. Employers with a sponsor licence and people on the Skilled Worker route should follow it closely.
This guide explains what the inquiry is, what it covers and what it could mean for you
What is the work-based immigration inquiry?
The work-based immigration inquiry is a review by the Home Affairs Committee, a cross-party group of MPs. It will examine how the UK uses immigration to meet its labour and skills needs. The Committee is chaired by Dame Karen Bradley MP.
A select committee inquiry does not change the law. The Committee gathers evidence, holds hearings and publishes a report with recommendations. The government must then respond. Committee recommendations often influence later changes to the Immigration Rules and Home Office policy. Recent examples include the changes covered in our guide to the September 2026 Immigration Rules changes (HC 584).
Explaining why the inquiry was launched, Dame Karen Bradley said:
“Work immigration can play an important role in ensuring the labour force has the right skills and sectors with shortages can plug the gaps. But has it become an easy option when more could be done to train UK workers in the skills wanted by employers?”
Why has Parliament launched this inquiry now?
The inquiry follows Your Voice on Immigration, a citizens’ assembly that the Committee commissioned. Its report was published on 7 September 2026. Nearly 100 members of the public took part in workshops in North Tyneside, Leicester and Renfrewshire, where they discussed the trade-offs involved in work migration.
Participants agreed 13 guiding principles. The main themes were:
- Train and recruit UK workers first. Employers should invest in local talent, especially young people, before recruiting from overseas.
- Treat migrant workers fairly. People who come to the UK to work should be treated with dignity and respect.
- Support integration. Communities and migrant workers should be helped to settle in well together.
- Plan the workforce for the long term, based on evidence. Immigration decisions should rest on data rather than short-term pressures.
The Committee has said these principles will guide the questions it asks.
What will the inquiry examine?
The inquiry has five stated aims. According to the Committee’s inquiry page, it will:
- Scrutinise the government’s approach to the Skilled Worker visa. This is the UK’s main route for sponsored overseas workers.
- Consider how decisions are made about which occupations should be eligible. This includes which roles appear on the shortage and eligible occupation lists.
- Examine the link between skills policy and immigration policy. In particular, it will ask whether overseas recruitment is replacing investment in UK training.
- Assess when work migration should be used to address labour shortages. It will also look at how long roles should keep shortage status.
- Evaluate how well government departments work together on work migration. Those departments are the Home Office, the Department for Education and the Department for Work and Pensions.
Issues likely to matter most to sponsored workers
The inquiry may also look at practical issues that affect workers directly:
- Salary thresholds. Are the current minimum salary requirements working as intended? For the current figures, see our Skilled Worker visa fee and cost breakdown for 2026.
- Losing a sponsored job. At present, a Skilled Worker whose job ends usually has their leave shortened. They then have a limited time to find a new sponsor or leave the UK. The inquiry may consider whether workers who lose their jobs through no fault of their own need more protection.
- Protections for workers in shortage roles. The inquiry may review safeguards against exploitation. For more on this, see our guide on whether victims of modern slavery on a Skilled Worker visa can change employer.
Who could be affected?
Employers with a sponsor licence. Changes to eligible occupations, salary thresholds or training expectations could affect your recruitment plans, costs and compliance duties. This matters more because Home Office enforcement is already at high levels, as explained in our article on what record sponsor licence revocations mean for employers and their staff. Sectors that rely heavily on overseas staff are the most exposed. These include health and care, hospitality, construction and engineering.
Skilled Worker visa holders. Recommendations on job loss, switching sponsors or salary rules could directly affect your position in the UK. The inquiry is running alongside wider government proposals on settlement, including plans to extend the qualifying period for indefinite leave to remain (ILR).
Prospective applicants. If you plan to apply for a Skilled Worker visa, or to extend your Skilled Worker visa, the eligibility rules may look different by the time the Committee reports.
What happens after the deadline?
Written evidence closes on 27 October 2026. The Committee will then review the submissions and is likely to hold oral evidence sessions. Witnesses could include ministers, officials and sector representatives. The Committee will then publish a report with recommendations, and the government will respond.
No immigration rules change because of the inquiry itself. However, it shows the direction policy is heading. Employers and visa holders should prepare now rather than react later.
What should you do now?
- Employers: Review your sponsored roles, salary levels and plans to train UK staff. Check that your Certificates of Sponsorship and compliance records are up to date.
- Skilled Workers: Check your visa expiry date, your route to settlement, and your options if your job ends.
- Everyone: Follow official announcements. Get advice before making major decisions based on proposals that are not yet law.
How Adam Bernard Solicitors can help
Our immigration solicitors advise employers and individuals at every stage of the work visa process. We help with sponsor licence applications and compliance, Skilled Worker visas, switching sponsors, extensions and ILR applications. If you are unsure how current or proposed changes affect you, we can give you clear, practical advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Home Affairs Committee work-based immigration inquiry?
When does the inquiry's call for evidence close?
Will the inquiry change the Skilled Worker visa rules?
What was Your Voice on Immigration?
What happens if I lose my job while on a Skilled Worker visa?
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Information is correct as of 23 September 2026.
