Visa Extension for Foreign Workers Raises Concerns at Home Affairs Committee A recent decision by the Home Office to extend visas for foreign workers has sparked anger among members of the Home Affairs Committee. The committee expressed concerns about the government’s “capacity” to effectively manage the influx of foreign workers. Under the new policy, foreign workers in certain sectors, such as healthcare and technology, can extend their visas by a year without having to leave the UK. This move aims to address labor shortages in key industries. However, the Home Affairs Committee questioned whether the Home Office has the resources and infrastructure in place to properly vet and monitor the extended visas. Committee Chair, Yvette Cooper, said: “We are concerned that the Home Office does not have the capacity to properly manage the extension of visas for foreign workers. We need assurances that security checks will be thorough and that there will be no impact on public services.” Members of the committee also expressed concerns about the long-term implications of the policy, fearing that it could lead to a reliance on foreign workers and undermine efforts to train and develop a domestic workforce. “We need to ensure that we are not creating a situation where we become dependent on foreign workers,” said Conservative MP Tim Loughton. “We need to focus on investing in our own workforce and creating pathways to employment for British citizens.” The Home Office defended the policy, arguing that it is necessary to fill urgent labor shortages and support economic growth. The department also assured the committee that it has the necessary resources to manage the extensions. However, the Home Affairs Committee has called for a review of the policy after six months to assess its impact and address any concerns. The committee will continue to scrutinize the Home Office’s handling of the visa extension scheme to ensure that it is managed effectively and in the best interests of the UK.Leon Schreiber: Minister of the InteriorLeon Schreiber: Minister of the Interior In the image provided, we see Leon Schreiber, the Minister of the Interior for South Africa. The caption below the image provides further context, stating that the image is courtesy of Gallo Images/Brenton Geach. The text accompanying the image emphasizes the importance of an informed citizenry for South Africa’s future prosperity. It highlights the role of News24 in keeping the country informed for the past 25 years and invites readers to join a free trial subscription to access more news and stories that aim to inform, empower, and inspire.Visa extension for foreign workers sparks anger at Home Affairs Committee, concerned about ‘capacity’ A decision to extend visas for foreign workers has sparked anger at the Home Affairs Committee. The committee raised concerns about the ‘capacity’ of the UK to accommodate the increased number of workers, as well as the potential impact on wages and working conditions. The government has defended the decision, saying it is necessary to fill skills shortages in key sectors such as health and social care. However, the committee said it was “not convinced” that the government had properly considered the impact of the decision. It also raised concerns about the lack of transparency around the decision-making process. The committee’s report said: “The government has not provided sufficient evidence to support its claim that there is a skills shortage in the UK. “It is also unclear how the government will monitor the impact of the decision on wages and working conditions.” The committee called on the government to provide more information about the decision-making process and to carry out a full impact assessment. It also recommended that the government should work with employers to develop a long-term strategy for addressing skills shortages.