An Oxford academic's analysis of Home Office data reveals a list of 'middle-skilled' jobs eligible for foreign worker visas in the UK, including some unexpected entries like dog beauticians, DJs, and pilates instructors. This revelation has sparked debate amidst plans to reduce overall migration and calls to attract high-skilled individuals.
Dog 'beauticians', DJs, and pilates instructors are among some of the less conventional roles on Britain's skilled worker visa list, according to a recent revelation by an Oxford academic. Other surprising entries on the UK's most-wanted foreign worker list include dog walkers, homeopaths, and 'air travel assistants'. This news has sparked criticism from Nigel Farage , leader of Reform UK, who has called for a comprehensive overhaul of the UK's immigration policy. 'What a load of nonsense.
Low-skilled migrants are costing us all,' Farage told MailOnline. This revelation comes as the government prepares to release a white paper later this year, outlining plans to reduce the number of overseas workers entering the UK. However, ahead of this, academic Robert McNeil has uncovered the current list of 'middle-skilled' jobs eligible for foreign worker visas. Analysis of Home Office data over the past three years to March 2024 revealed that 334 visas were granted for 'animal care service occupations'. This encompassed a wide range of roles, from specialized pet pampering positions like 'canine beauticians' to more traditional tasks like stable hands, kennel assistants, and veterinary nursing assistants. Over the same period, skilled worker visas for fitness and wellbeing instructors - encompassing yoga and pilates coaches - were granted 167 times. Also highlighted on the list are 'costume interpreters' - individuals who don period costumes to interact with visitors at National Trust properties or participate in live reenactments. Mr. McNeil, a researcher at the University of Oxford’s Centre on Migration, Policy and Society, told the Guardian: 'Many of these roles may well be challenging and require particular skills, but they might not be the sort of things that are front of mind for most people when they imagine roles that are critical for UK employers to recruit from overseas.' The academic uncovered these unusual roles within a list of 300 'eligible occupations' for skilled workers, which also includes more conventional professions like nursing, banking, and the civil service. Writing in a blog on Tuesday, Mr. McNeil claimed that the inclusion of unexpected roles like dog beauticians stemmed from changes introduced after the UK left the EU. 'At the same time as ending free movement, the government reduced the skills threshold to allow middle-skilled jobs to qualify for work visas. Previously, only graduate jobs qualified in the system that applied to non-EU citizens,' he wrote. 'When people think about such middle-skilled jobs, roles like plumbers, bricklayers or engineering technicians spring to mind. But defining what is actually 'middle skilled' is not straightforward. 'In the end, the government used an existing classification based on an official qualifications framework. Some of the results are surprising. 'For example, while excellence in trimming dog claws, or cutting a poodle’s coat into a flamboyant design may be highly skilled, is it critical for the UK economy? Perhaps not, but 'canine beauticians' appear to be eligible for skilled work visas as 'animal care services occupations'. The roles were uncovered by Oxford academic Robert McNeil. He also noted that visas for 'air travel assistants' - cabin crew and those who assist with check-in luggage - had been granted 869 times. Last month, Chancellor Rachel Reeves revealed that visas for high-skilled workers are set to be relaxed as part of government plans to boost economic growth. Ministers will publish an immigration white paper later this year, which includes a review of visa routes - particularly for those specializing in the AI and life sciences sectors. While Labour are committed to reducing overall migration amidst rising numbers, the government have faced calls to encourage wealthy or high-skilled individuals to come to Britain. Ms. Reeves told an event at the World Economic Forum in Davos: ‘We are going to look again at routes for the highest skilled people, visas particularly in the areas of AI and life sciences. ‘Britain is open for business, we are open for talent, we’ve got some of the best universities, some of the best entrepreneurs in the world, but we also want to bring in global talent.’ Sir Keir Starmer has already been urged to grant visas to 'wealthy, high-skilled Americans' who want to migrate to the UK 'for fear of what Trump will do to their country
SKILLED WORKER VISA IMMIGRATION UK DOG BEAUTICIAN Djs PILATES INSTRUCTORS OXFORD ACADEMIC ROBERT MCNEIL HOME OFFICE DATA Nigel Farage REFORM UK HIGH-SKILLED WORKERS AI LIFE SCIENCES
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