Britain almost doubled the number of visas awarded to foreign migrants coming to work in the health and care sector last year, government data showed,
adding to pressure on prime minister Rishi Sunak over immigration ahead of the next general election.
Immigration is one of the top three concerns for voters as the country gears up for an election expected later this year. Trailing the opposition Labour party
in the polls, Sunak has vowed to bring it down.
But data released on Thursday by Home Office was the latest set of statistics to show the scale of the challenge he faces.
Britain granted 337,240 work visas in 2023, 26 per cent higher than in 2022, with the rise largely driven by those coming to the country to work in the care home
sector.
That follows figures released in November which showed annual net migration to the UK hit a record 745,000 in 2022 and has stayed high since.
Visas under the 'Skilled Worker - Health and Care' route almost doubled, Thursday's data showed, rising by 91 per cent to 146,477 last year.
The European Union's population shrank for a second year running last year, the bloc's statistics office said on Monday, as the region reels from over two
million deaths from the coronavirus.
According to Eurostat, the population of the 27 countries that make up the bloc fell by close to 172,000 from the previous year and over 656,000 from January 2020.
"In 2020 and 2021 the positive net migration no longer compensated for the negative natural change in the EU and, as a consequence, the EU total population has been
decreasing," it said, pointing to impacts from the pandemic.
The number of deaths began outstripping births in the EU a decade ago, but immigration from outside the bloc helped offset the gap until the first year of the
pandemic.
The previous time the EU had registered a fall in population was in 2011 - the only other time since 1960 - but this rapidly picked up due to net migration.
In a significant event organised by Eastern Eye (EE), a sister publication of Pharmacy Business, political leaders gathered on July 1st to address pressing
issues affecting the Asian community
The EE election debate aimed to amplify their political voice and encourage participation in the political process.
The debate, moderated by Barnie Choudhury, Editor of Eastern Eye, saw prominent figures including Andrew Boff AM of the Conservative Party, Anneliese Dodds
represented Labour as Shadow Secretary of State for Women and Equalities, and Lord Richard Newby from the Liberal Democrats engaged in a robust discussion.
They fielded questions on various issues affecting the UK, including economic and social inequality, immigration, health inequalities, and funding cuts to
community pharmacies.
Amid an audience that included stakeholders from the pharmacy sector, a notable query focused on each party's stance on the role of community pharmacies and
their commitment to funding these vital services.
The Pharmacists' Defence Association (PDA) has reported growing concerns among its members regarding their safety at work as the far-right, anti-immigration
riots escalate across the UK.
"We have received calls from members who are concerned about their safety at work and feel vulnerable in communities where the violence and disorder are taking
place," the organisation told Pharmacy Business.
The PDA also reported that some hospital outpatient departments and GP surgeries were forced to close their doors to allow staff to get home safely, which may
impact services to patients.
In light of these challenges, the PDA is calling on employers to ensure that they are adequately communicating with pharmacists in locations at risk of conflict
and to prioritise the health and safety of staff and patients.
"We are aware that pharmacists and their teams working in areas where this criminal activity is taking place are feeling vulnerable but that they also want to
ensure that their communities are safe and have access to the vital services pharmacies provide.
As far-right violence escalates across the UK, Professor Mahendra Patel, Honorary Doctor of Health at the University of Bradford, has urged pharmacy teams
to uphold solidarity and professionalism, showing stability and fairness to provide the best care during these difficult times of public unrest.
Speaking to Pharmacy Business, Patel stressed the importance of valuing and respecting the diversity within the pharmacy profession while presenting a united
stance against racism and discrimination.
Violence erupted across the UK after rumours spread online that the suspect in the dance class stabbing attack in Southport last week was a Muslim and an immigrant.
This misinformation reportedly incited anger among far-right supporters, leading to clashes with anti-racism protesters over the weekend.
Commenting on the ongoing far-right riots across the UK, he stated: "What we are seeing is not normal behaviour by any means and it is clearly very frightening and
worrying for everyone with potentially huge impact on daily lives."
At present, this situation is particularly impacting individuals of the Muslim faith and Black ethnic minorities.
The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) has strongly condemned recent acts of racism, violence, and disorder caused by far-right, anti-immigrant protestors
across the UK.
Roz Gittins, chief pharmacy officer at GPhC, expressed deep concern for the safety of pharmacy teams, particularly those from Black and minority ethnic backgrounds.
He said: "We strongly condemn the racism, violence and disorder caused by a small minority of the population that has taken place over recent days."
"We understand that pharmacy teams serving our communities may feel especially vulnerable at this time."
"Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians from black and minority ethnic backgrounds, as well as those who trained abroad, make an enormous contribution to our
pharmacy and health services and they should never have to feel fear when going to work.
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