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  "path": "/celebrity/ben-leo-labour-skilled-worker-list-x-twitter",
  "publishedAt": "2026-03-24T19:27:30.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "Ricky Gervais’ partner shares rare health update after breast cancer operation: ‘Big day!’",
    "ITV GMB row erupts over Ed Balls’ ‘whataboutery’ with antisemitism campaigner after arson attack",
    "Coleen Nolan fires back at 'cruel bully' claims amid feud with son's ex: 'Private family matter!'",
    "https://t.co/8xU5Wz6m04",
    "March 23, 2026",
    "The GB News Editorial Charter",
    "@benleo444"
  ],
  "textContent": "\n\n\nBen Leo has criticised the UK’s skilled worker visa system, claiming it has “lost control” following reports that small businesses such as vape shops and takeaways are sponsoring overseas workers.\n\nThe broadcaster took to X to voice his concerns, writing: “Selling blueberry fizz pop vapes and dicing reformed lamb meat into pitta is now a skilled occupation. The government has lost control.”\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nHis comments came in response to a post highlighting that the number of businesses permitted to sponsor “skilled workers” has increased fourfold since 2020.\n\nThe post listed several companies on the register of licensed sponsors, including a vape shop, kebab takeaway, halal butcher and fast food outlet.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTRENDING\n\nStories\n\nVideos\n\nYour Say\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nUnder the UK’s points-based immigration system, businesses can apply for a licence to sponsor overseas workers in roles deemed to meet specific skill and salary thresholds.\n\nHowever, critics argue the system is being exploited, with some questioning whether certain roles genuinely meet the criteria for skilled employment.\n\nBen's remarks quickly sparked debate online, with many social media users echoing his concerns.\n\nOne user claimed: “These foreign-run businesses only employ foreigners, often family members or relatives. It is nothing more than a visa scam.”\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nAnother wrote: “I hate to diminish people’s jobs, but I always wonder what visa petrol station till attendants are here on.”\n\nA third added: “You’d be surprised at how many people on those skilled worker visas have never actually had a job in their own country before.”\n\nOthers took aim at the types of roles being filled, with one commenter quipping: “Dicing reformed halal lamb meat. Corrected.”\n\nThe Home Office has previously maintained that strict criteria are in place to ensure only eligible roles qualify under the skilled worker route, including minimum salary requirements and approved occupation codes.\n\n### LATEST DEVELOPMENTS\n\n\n\n\n  * Ricky Gervais’ partner shares rare health update after breast cancer operation: ‘Big day!’\n  * ITV GMB row erupts over Ed Balls’ ‘whataboutery’ with antisemitism campaigner after arson attack\n  * Coleen Nolan fires back at 'cruel bully' claims amid feud with son's ex: 'Private family matter!'\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n> Selling blueberry fizz pop vapes and dicing reformed lamb meat into pitta is now a skilled occupation\n>\n> The government has lost control. https://t.co/8xU5Wz6m04\n>\n> — Ben Leo (@benleo444) March 23, 2026\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nBusinesses found to be abusing the system risk having their sponsor licences revoked.\n\nThe controversy over the skilled worker visa scheme has deepened as reports claim that diversity and inclusion experts, bloggers, DJs and other non-traditional roles have been fast-tracked into the UK under the system.\n\nCritics say these roles fall under broader occupational categories such as human resources and authorship, arguing that the definition of “skilled” has been stretched beyond its original intent.\n\nFurther concerns have also been raised over wider lists of eligible occupations reportedly including roles such as drama teachers, Pilates instructors, mystery shoppers, bingo hall managers and even trolley collectors.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nCommentators argue the expansion risks diluting the purpose of the visa route, with critics claiming it prioritises unconventional or lower-wage roles over essential professions needed to support public services and the economy.\n\nBen has repeatedly criticised both Conservative and Labour immigration policies, arguing that high overall migration levels are a “disgrace” and a “ticking time bomb” for Britain.\n\nHe has also raised concerns about the skilled worker visa system, claiming it is being used to import cheap labour rather than genuinely high-skilled workers, citing reports of businesses such as butchers and hospitality firms sponsoring large numbers of visas.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nAcross 2024 and 2025, the People's Channel presenter has argued that many roles classed as “skilled” are effectively low-wage jobs being used as a backdoor for immigration, insisting the government should prioritise training British workers instead.\n\nHe has also voiced support for Reform UK proposals to tighten immigration rules, including restricting skilled worker visas, and has accused authorities of misleading the public about the types of jobs being filled through the system.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n**Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter**",
  "title": "Ben Leo fumes Labour 'has lost control' over new additions to 'skilled worker' list"
}