A recent GB News documentary has revealed that kebab shops, halal butchers, and other businesses have sponsored hundreds of skilled worker visas, sparking debate about the UK’s immigration system.
Data from a Freedom of Information request by the Centre for Migration Control (CMC) showed that between 2021 and 2023, 56 kebab shops, 83 halal businesses, and one butcher alone sponsored 918 skilled worker visas. The documentary, which focuses on how immigration has transformed cities like Bradford, raises questions about whether these roles truly qualify as “skilled work” under the government’s visa scheme.
Matthew Goodwin, an academic and author, warned that the UK is in a “population trap,” where rapid population growth outpaces the state’s ability to provide public services. He linked issues like NHS strain, underfunded schools, and economic stagnation to unchecked immigration, stating, “Nobody in Westminster wants to admit it.”
In Bradford, locals shared mixed views on immigration. One resident, who migrated from Pakistan in 1994, said working in a kebab shop is not skilled work, adding, “When I came here, I didn’t even know how to cook an egg. But I know everything now… I don’t believe that this is a highly skilled job.” Others echoed this sentiment, questioning why kebab shop workers are granted skilled visas.
Robert Bates, research director at the CMC, criticized the system, calling it a “racket” that allows businesses to act as “visa mills” by importing low-skilled workers instead of hiring and training British staff. He argued that this practice has significant social and economic costs, as many visa holders eventually qualify for benefits and fast-tracked citizenship.
The data showed that some kebab shops and Asian restaurants sponsored multiple visas, with one Bradford kebab house sponsoring 14 and another in Birmingham sponsoring 12. While some locals praised Bradford’s diversity, others expressed frustration over the visa system’s perceived misuse.
Ben Habib, former deputy leader of the Reform Party, criticized the classification of halal butchery as a skilled profession, calling it unnecessary and inhumane. He argued that the UK’s immigration policies prioritize mass migration over the needs of the domestic workforce.
The skilled worker visa scheme has come under increasing scrutiny, with critics arguing that it has been exploited to fill low-wage jobs rather than addressing genuine skill shortages. A 2023 report by the Migration Advisory Committee found that some employers rely on foreign workers to avoid raising wages or investing in training for UK staff.
Despite record levels of legal migration—1.2 million in 2023, including 337,240 work visas—many Britons remain unemployed or economically inactive. Migration Watch UK has called for stricter rules, arguing that the visa system has strayed from its original purpose of attracting highly skilled professionals like doctors and engineers.
The Conservative Party, under new leadership, has pledged to reduce migration levels, including introducing a cap on numbers and tightening rules on indefinite leave to remain. A party spokesperson emphasized that British citizenship should be a privilege, not an automatic right, and criticized Labour for advocating open borders.
As the debate over immigration continues, the documentary sheds light on the complexities and controversies surrounding the UK’s visa system, raising important questions about its impact on the economy, public services, and social cohesion.
