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UK faces labour scarcity, introduces new visa programs to attract international talent

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The United Kingdom is currently experiencing shortage of workers across a wide range of industries; a situation that is reported to have placed significant pressure on the economy.

In order to tackle this issue, the UK government has introduced new visa programs and work regulations aimed at attracting international talent to fill essential roles.

These changes come as sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, and construction struggle to find enough local workers.

The labour shortage has become so critical that businesses in various industries are now turning to foreign workers to maintain operations. According to the DAAD Scholarship, recruitment drives, adjustments to the ETA system, and the introduction of new visa categories have been implemented to streamline the hiring process for international workers.

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Key industries facing labour shortages in 2025
A number of sectors are particularly struggling with a lack of workers in 2025, reports inform. From agriculture to healthcare, nearly every sector is reporting difficulties in filling key roles.

1. Agriculture

Agriculture in the UK has been hit especially hard according to reports, with many farms relying heavily on seasonal foreign workers. Roles such as fruit pickers, dairy farm assistants, and greenhouse workers are difficult to fill as fewer local workers are willing to take on the physically demanding jobs.

To address this, the Seasonal Worker Visa has been made available for foreign workers, offering short-term employment opportunities. Workers in these roles typically earn between £10.42 and £12.00 per hour, depending on their experience.

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2. Healthcare and social care

The UK healthcare system is facing significant staff shortages, particularly in nursing and caregiving, according to reports. With an aging population and rising demand for healthcare services, positions such as care workers, home support workers, and nursing assistants are urgently needed.

To help fill these gaps, the Health and Care Worker Visa has been introduced, allowing international workers to come to the UK and take up essential healthcare roles. These positions offer salaries ranging from £10.75 to £16.00 per hour.

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3. Construction and trades

The construction industry is also experiencing a shortage of skilled workers. Key roles in the sector, such as bricklayers, plumbers, and electricians, are in high demand due to ongoing infrastructure projects and urban development. These positions often come with competitive pay, with experienced workers in certain roles earning upwards of £25 per hour.

The Skilled Worker Visa is being used to bring in foreign workers who have the necessary skills to fill these positions.

4. Hospitality and tourism

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With tourism rebounding after the pandemic, the hospitality sector according to DAAD Scholarship, has seen a surge in demand, but struggles to find enough workers to meet this demand. Roles such as chefs, waiters, and hotel receptionists are particularly hard to fill.

The government is offering both the Skilled Worker Visa and the Temporary Work Visa to attract foreign talent to these high-demand roles, with salaries for these positions ranging from £10.50 to £14.00 per hour.

Visa pathways for foreign workers
In response to the ongoing labour shortages, the UK government has introduced several visa options to allow foreign workers to fill these vacancies:

Seasonal worker visa: This visa is available for industries such as agriculture, retail, and events. It allows foreign workers to come to the UK for short-term, seasonal work.

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Skilled worker visa: This visa targets sectors that require specific skill sets, such as healthcare, construction, and hospitality. It allows workers with particular expertise to take up long-term roles in the UK.
Health and care worker visa: Exclusively for the healthcare sector, this visa facilitates the recruitment of care workers and other healthcare professionals from abroad.

Temporary work visa: This visa is designed for industries with fluctuating, seasonal demand, such as hospitality, events, and retail.

These visa categories are part of a larger effort to address the labour shortages as stated, and ensure that key sectors can continue operating effectively.

The labour shortages in the UK are being felt across multiple industries, and the introduction of new visa programs is perceived as a step in addressing this issue.
These initiatives are designed to bring in foreign workers to fill critical roles, from healthcare and construction to agriculture and hospitality. By opening up more pathways for international workers, the UK hopes to ease the pressure on its economy and support industries in need of labor.

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With these changes, foreign professionals are now able to access a variety of work opportunities in the UK, benefiting both the workers and the industries they support.

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IGP Launches Safe School Squad In Bauchi

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The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, on Thursday, launched a new police-led school protection squad under the Safe School Initiative.

Egbetokun said the unit is part of the national strategy to fortify educational institutions against rising security threats.

The Commissioner of Police in charge of the Schools Protection Squad, Abayomi Shogunle, performed the unveiling on behalf of the IGP and stressed the urgent need for coordinated security measures to safeguard students, staff, and school infrastructure across the country.

Shogunle, who spoke at a stakeholders’ forum on school security, said Nigeria has increasingly battled threats such as kidnapping, homicide, and the destruction of school property.

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He explained that these challenges have forced many schools to shut down, thereby worsening the problem of out-of-school children and affecting surrounding communities.

He cited the 2021 National Policy on Safety, Security, and Violence-Free Schools, revealing that “more than 600 teachers were killed in attacks, while more than 19,000 were displaced between 2012 and 2016”.

Shogunle said, “Today’s event, Strengthening Security Resilience and Integration of Host Communities, aligns with the national plan on financing safe schools in Nigeria.

“The plan has a national investment response aimed at protecting schools, learners, teachers and non-teaching staff from attacks in all parts of Nigeria and was designed to achieve measurable outcomes such as reducing the number of out-of-school children and improving Nigeria’s rating in the human capital index in the long run.”

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Bauchi State Police Commissioner Sani-Omolori Aliyu also addressed participants at the forum. He confirmed that Nigeria has recorded a disturbing increase in kidnappings, banditry, and attacks targeting students and school staff.

He said these incidents have disrupted learning and spread fear among parents, pupils, and the broader society.

Aliyu revealed, “It was in response to the development that the Nigerian Police collaborated with the federal and state governments and various stakeholders to develop the safe school programme aimed at creating a safe school environment that allows children to pursue their education, free from the spectre of violence or fear.”

He continued, “The Safe School Program is a comprehensive initiative that involves multiple stakeholders and agencies working in unison to prevent attacks, respond effectively in emergencies, and support communities and schools affected by violence.

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“The Safe School Squad will be guided by a comprehensive policy framework that delineates its mandate, functions, and operational protocols.”

Aliyu noted that the unit would collaborate with schools, local communities, and relevant bodies to detect and respond to threats swiftly.

He added that the formation of the squad signifies a major leap in the police force’s dedication to school safety.

“This squad will be rigorously trained and dedicated to tirelessly preventing attacks and effectively addressing emergencies as they arise,” he said.

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He emphasised that “The Safe School Program transcends a mere police initiative; it is a collaborative effort necessitating the engagement of all stakeholders. We earnestly encourage parents, educators, students, and the wider community to support this initiative and join hands with us in ensuring that our schools remain sanctuaries for learning.”

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Viral Video: Aiyedatiwa reenters classroom, educate pupils in Ondo school

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A recent viral video has captured Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, returning to his roots as a teacher, engaging with students at an unnamed school.

The video, which was shared on the Governor’s official Facebook page, shows him writing the word “Drugs” on the board and interacting with the pupils during a lesson.

The Governor encouraged the students to name three forms of drugs, prompting active participation from the class.

The video, which quickly gained traction online, was accompanied by the caption, “Once a teacher, always a teacher.” This gesture comes shortly after the Governor’s approval in March 2025 for the recruitment of 1,100 primary school teachers across all 18 local government areas of Ondo State, part of a broader initiative to improve the state’s education system.

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Governor Aiyedatiwa has been vocal about his commitment to educational reform. In his message accompanying the video, he highlighted recent efforts to enhance education in the state, including the distribution of textbooks, Android tablets, and sports equipment to public schools. “This initiative, funded through the 2023/2024 UBEC/SUBEB intervention, underscores our unwavering commitment to quality education for every child, regardless of background,” the Governor said.

Further updates on the state’s educational progress included the construction and rehabilitation of classrooms in over 100 schools, the distribution of more than 75,000 textbooks and digital learning resources, and the recruitment and training of over 2,100 new teachers. Additionally, Aiyedatiwa emphasized his administration’s support for extracurricular activities, such as sports, as an essential part of students’ development.

Governor Aiyedatiwa’s return to the classroom serves as a reminder of his dedication to education and the future of Ondo State’s children. As part of his continued efforts to advance education, he said, “With every book, tablet, and sports kit, we are investing in the leaders of tomorrow.”

Watch video below: https://web.facebook.com/reel/563785076763901

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Four children injured, one loses hand in Borno IED explosion

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An Improvised Explosive Device (IED) detonated in Mafa Local Government Area of Borno State, injuring five children, one of whom suffered the traumatic loss of a hand.

The incident occurred on Thursday, May 8, 2025, around 2:25pm near a culvert along the access road leading to a construction site at the New Mafa Central Mosque.

According to preliminary findings, the children accidentally triggered the hidden IED, which had been concealed in block holes at the site.

The victims, identified as Abdullahi Umar, Musa Mele, Fatima Abatcha, Abba Kawu Muhammed, and Khalid Alhaji Bukar, all residents of Mafa town, sustained varying degrees of injuries from the blast.

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A coordinated emergency response was launched by the Explosive Ordnance Disposal-Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (EOD-CBRN) Unit, officers from the Mafa Police Division, and members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF).

The area was secured, and a thorough search for secondary devices was conducted. Fragments of the IED, crafted using tin containers, were recovered and safely neutralized.

Four of the injured children were transferred to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) for advanced medical care, while the fifth, who sustained minor injuries, was treated and discharged from Mafa General Hospital.

In the aftermath, the EOD-CBRN team launched an Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE) campaign to sensitize children and residents in Mafa on the dangers of unexploded devices, an ongoing threat in communities still recovering from years of insurgency.

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