Skilled Worker Sponsor Licence Suspensions And Revocations Surge

The Home Office has markedly increased the level of Skilled Worker sponsor licence suspensions and revocations in the first quarter of 2024. There are also indications a focus on sponsorship compliance will continue under the next government.

Sponsors should regularly review their compliance position and address any deficiencies to minimise the risk of enforcement action.

Recent statistics on sponsor licence suspensions and revocations

Between January and March 2024, the Home Office suspended 309 Skilled Worker sponsor licences and revoked 210. This represents a much higher level of activity than at any point since Brexit, as the below chart shows.

Although some of this increase is likely to be driven by a need to address immigration system abuse in the care sector, there are reasons why all sponsors should take care to ensure their house is in order ahead of a potential sponsor audit or other compliance trigger point.