Rishi Sunak pinning hopes on migrant workers - but doesn't want to shout about it

Official figures show Rishi Sunak is pinning his hopes on migrant workers to plug 212,000 unfilled posts in health and social care.

But the PM does not want to shout about it for fear of inflaming public opinion and antagonising his anti-immigration Home Secretary Suella Braverman.

Office for Budget Responsibility stats released with Chancellor Jeremy Hunt ’s Autumn Statement last week revealednet migration will rise from a March estimate of 129,000 in 2026 to 205,000.

And that made a mockery of former PM David Cameron ’s ambition to get numbers down to the tens of thousands repeated by Ms Braverman last month.

The increase in foreign workers will boost the size of the faltering economy by 0.6% by 2027 and produce a larger labour pool for the struggling NHS.

But Tony Blair Institute policy director Ian Mulheirn said: “Whether that’s a story the government will want to put up in lights remains to be seen.

“Sunak and Hunt know that allowing migration to rise much higher than the tens of thousands promised by the Home Secretary will ease pressure on the economy, reduce the need for tax rises and help the NHS.”

An increase of migrant workers would boost the struggling NHS (PA)

The OBR said health and social care visas now account for two in five handed out almost trebling from 12,000 in the second quarter of last year to 32,000 in 2022.

And last month short-lived PM Liz Truss said the 10,000s target was her “ultimate aspiration” but added: “We’ve got to take it slowly”.

Mr Sunak said he also wants to reduce migration but needs to focus on tackling Channel crossings first.

Health Foundation boss Dr Jennifer Dixon said: “A new approach is needed. The UK has consistently spent less on healthcare than other Western European nations.

“This needs to change to avoid a downward spiral of poorer health, declining services, and lower economic growth.”

And Homecare Association chief.Dr Jane Townson added: “We strongly support investment in our workforce.”

A Government spokesperson said: “The UK cannot rely solely on overseas labour.

“Employers must also make long term investments in the UK domestic workforce.”