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UK faces labour scarcity, introduces new visa programs to attract international talent
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
News
Tinubu Snubs Suit Seeking His Removal, Says Court Has No Authority
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
President Bola Tinubu has asked the Federal High Court in Abuja to dismiss a suit seeking to compel the National Assembly to initiate impeachment proceedings against him over alleged rights violations.
The suit, filed by a legal practitioner, Mr. Olukoya Ogungbeje, alleged that President Tinubu’s administration had suppressed peaceful protests, which amounts to an impeachable offense.
However, President Tinubu and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, have challenged the suit, questioning the plaintiff’s legal right to institute the action. They argued that the plaintiff failed to disclose any reasonable cause of action and that the court lacks jurisdiction to hear the matter.
In a joint preliminary objection, the defendants listed 18 reasons why the case should be terminated. They claimed that the plaintiff filed the action on behalf of “faceless citizens” without disclosing the persons whose rights were allegedly violated.
According to the defendants, only the person whose right was breached has the right to file an action before the court to seek redress, as provided by Section 46 of the 1999 Constitution.
The defendants also argued that the plaintiff’s questions for determination were based on an alleged breach of the 1999 Constitution by President Tinubu, but failed to disclose any of his rights that were breached.
In a counter affidavit, a principal state counsel in the Federal Ministry of Justice, Gbemga Oladimeji, averred that President Tinubu’s administration has been a promoter of democratic tenets, allowing people to air their grievances and conduct peaceful protests.
“I know for a fact that the protest conducted between 1st August 2024 and 10th August 2024 was peaceful, as there was a court order limiting the protesters to demonstrate within a confined location,” he said.
Justice James Omotosho has adjourned the case till March 4 to enable the counsel representing the plaintiff to respond to the preliminary objection by President Tinubu and the AGF.
News
Social Media On Fire As Cubana Chief Priest Mocks Burna Boy’s Grammy Loss
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The ongoing feud between Nigerian socialite Cubana Chief Priest and Afrobeat superstar Burna Boy has taken another turn after the singer’s recent Grammy loss.
In a post on his social media, Cubana Chief Priest threw a sarcastic jab at Burna Boy, who was nominated for a Grammy but ultimately did not win the prestigious award.
The socialite, who has had a long-standing back-and-forth with Burna Boy, commented, “If Diddy was outside this year, the Grammy wouldn’t have slipped from Burna’s hand.” This remark quickly stirred a storm of reactions from followers and fans alike.
The comment seems to reference a recent incident involving Burna Boy and an alleged controversy regarding his Grammy chances. Cubana Chief Priest, known for his vocal and sometimes controversial opinions, hinted at the possibility that things could have turned out differently if other prominent figures like Sean “Diddy” Combs had been involved.
This indirect shade comes on the back of a heated public exchange between the two, which began months ago with various criticisms and insults being exchanged online.
The reaction from fans was swift. Many took to social media to express their thoughts on Cubana Chief Priest’s comment, with some supporting his opinion and others defending Burna Boy. A user, Gabriel Onifade, asked, “Why does he always refer to Burna Boy as Diddy? Can someone explain?”
Others, like Joe, added humorously, “But na true, Bolna for don bend collect again. Even the other guy fit don bend too.”
On the other hand, Femi Peters reminded Cubana Chief Priest, saying, “Na Burna wey don collect Grammy you dey shade, but your own bestie too was nominated and lost, no Grammy, nothing. This dude is never serious.” While some fans were calling for peace and urging people to focus on the positive sides of the music industry, others seemed to enjoy the drama.
One fan, Blessedpeter, voiced their personal opinion about Burna Boy’s recent behavior, saying, “For Once I’m Happy The Way Cubana Chief Priest Is Shading Burna Cos Of Recent Burna Has Been Acting and Talking With So Much Arrogance… I Lost all Respect For Him When He Kicked That Poor Fan Who Jumped On His Stage.”
However, some defended Burna Boy, arguing that the Grammy should not be the focal point of the conversation. Lord_nigga retorted, “It’s very obvious that you all are jealous of Burna’s Grammy win. Nigerians have lost interest in Grammy for so many years now, until Burna Boy stepped in and got his first nomination. Put some respect on Burna’s name!”
Cubana Chief Priest’s comment has only reignited the flames of an already heated rivalry. The constant jabs between him and Burna Boy seem to have become a regular spectacle for social media users, who are either entertained by the drama or frustrated by the ongoing tensions.
As the debate continues, it’s clear that the relationship between Burna Boy and Cubana Chief Priest is far from friendly, and the Grammy snub seems to have added another layer to their already complicated history. Whether the feud will escalate further remains to be seen, but for now, it continues to fuel online conversations and reactions.
News
House Pays Tribute to Late Deputy Whip, Onanuga, Adjourns Plenary
By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives has adjourned its plenary session to Wednesday, February 5, 2025, in honour of Honourable Adewunmi Oriyomi Onanuga, who passed away on January 15, 2025.
Naijablitznews.com recalled that the House had earlier adjourned its plenary in January to allow for the 2024 budget defence and discussions on the 2025 proposals for Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).
Upon resumption, in line with parliamentary tradition, the House paid tribute to Hon. Onanuga, who represented the Ikenne/Shagamu/Remo Federal Constituency of Ogun State until her demise.
Hon. Onanuga served as the Deputy Chief Whip of the 10th House and was previously the Chairperson of the House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Development in the 9th Assembly (2019–2023).
As a mark of respect, her seat was draped in white, symbolizing her absence. The Deputy Speaker, Rep. Benjamin Kalu, led a moment of silence in her honour. Additionally, Deputy Minority Leader, Rep. Aliyu Madaki, offered Islamic prayers, while Minority Leader, Rep. Kingsley Chinda, led Christian prayers for the repose of her soul.
Kalu encouraged members to sign the condolence register, emphasizing that the late Deputy Whip’s family would cherish messages from colleagues.
Following the tributes, House Leader, Rep. Julius Ihonbvere, moved for the plenary to be adjourned until Wednesday, February 5, 2025.
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