The Home Office revoked 4,403 skilled worker sponsor licences in the year to June 2026, the highest number recorded in any 12-month period since the post-Brexit immigration system was introduced, with care providers accounting for the largest share of enforcement action, according to analysis of government data by the Work Rights Centre.
The charity's analysis of newly published Home Office migration transparency data found licence revocations reached a record level between July 2025 and June 2026. Meanwhile data it obtained under Freedom of Information rules showed that between Q1 2022 and Q3 2025, the care sector accounted for the largest share of identified sponsor licence revocations, with 872 licences withdrawn, representing around 29 per cent of the sectoral total analysed. Accommodation and food services accounted for 497 revocations (17 per cent), followed by information and communications (12 per cent), retail (10 per cent) and construction (9 per cent).
The figures follow a wider government crackdown on the sponsorship system and broader reforms to work migration routes. The Government's 2025 immigration reforms included the closure of overseas applications for care worker and senior care worker visas, while increasing compliance requirements for sponsors.
Calls for stronger penalties
Work Rights Centre chief executive Dr Dora-Olivia Vicol said the increase in revocations reflected a tougher approach to enforcement but argued the consequences for non-compliant employers remained limited.
"On the surface, the increase in licence revocations marks a welcome rise in due diligence, in an immigration system that for too long has handed employers vast powers, with minimal accountability," she said.
"But for the criminals who abused the system, losing their licence is inconsequential. With no fines or prosecution, most continue to operate, win hefty care contracts from local authorities and even reapply for a licence from the government in 12 months,” she added.
Impact on migrant workers
The charity argued that migrant workers often face the greatest consequences when licences are revoked, as sponsored staff can lose their route to remain in employment unless they secure a new sponsor, and is calling on ministers to introduce stronger penalties for non-compliant sponsors, establish a compensation scheme for workers who have experienced exploitation and reform sponsorship arrangements to provide greater protections for migrant staff.
