Visa applications drop as minister admits foreign workers needed to solve housing crisis [Video]

The number of people applying to work or study in the UK from abroad has dropped to the lowest number in years following stricter Government visa rules.

In November, the Home Office received 4,100 skilled visa applications from foreign workers, the lowest number since January 2022 – and 2,000 fewer than the same month last year.

There were also just 1,900 applications for heath and care worker visas – down from almost 10,000 in November 2023 – plus 3,800 applications to bring dependents to the UK, data released on Thursday shows.

Requests from foreign doctors, nurses and health and adult social care professionals to come to Britain reached an all time high in August last year when there were 18,300 applicants in the month.

It comes as a minister admitted that the country will be “reliant” on foreign builders to help solve the housing crisis.

“We’re not looking at easing restrictions, but we will …