Which Healthcare & Teaching Jobs are Facing Shortages in the UK?

The UK continues to face significant shortages in both healthcare and teaching roles. Demand is rising across the NHS, social care, and education systems, driven by an ageing population, growing health needs, and the increasing number of pupils in schools. Certain professions are consistently harder to recruit and retain, putting pressure on essential public services. This article explores which jobs are most affected, the reasons behind these shortages, and what measures could help strengthen the workforce.

• NHS had 1.7m staff in 2024, needs 2.4m by 2036.
• Mental health vacancies at 11–12% in 2024.
• Secondary teacher recruitment 30% below target.
• 50% of social care providers report hiring struggles.
• Teacher vacancies several times pre-pandemic levels.

How the UK Work Visa Supports Healthcare and Teaching Shortages?

The UK Work Visa system plays a vital role in addressing workforce shortages in critical sectors such as healthcare and education. By placing certain professions on the Shortage Occupation List, the government enables employers to recruit international talent more easily while offering overseas professionals a clear pathway to work in the UK.H3: Healthcare Roles on the Shortage List.

Healthcare Roles on the Shortage List

• Nurses (all specialisms) and midwives are consistently included.
• Care workers and home carers remain priority roles due to persistent gaps in social care.
• Senior care workers, alongside some allied health professionals, are eligible for sponsorship.
• Shortage list roles benefit from lower visa salary thresholds and reduced application fees, making entry more accessible.

Teaching Roles on the Shortage List

• Teachers of Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and Computer Science are recognised shortage subjects.
• Special Educational Needs (SEND) teachers are also prioritised due to high demand across schools.
• International applicants with qualified teacher status (QTS) can apply for sponsorship directly through eligible schools.

Salary Thresholds and Benefits

• Standard Skilled Worker visa threshold: £26,200 per year.
• Shortage roles threshold: £23,040 per year.
• New entrants (under 26 or early career): £20,960 per year.
• After five years of continuous work, professionals may apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR).

The inclusion of healthcare and teaching roles on the UK Work Visa Shortage Occupation List directly supports employers in filling gaps while offering overseas professionals competitive salaries, long-term career progression, and the chance to contribute to essential public services.

Key Trends & Latest Statistics

Recent workforce data highlights the scale of shortages:

• The NHS employs around 1.7 million people, but by 2036/37 it is expected to need up to 2.4 million staff to meet demand.
• NHS vacancy rates remain high, with mental health services seeing a 11–12% vacancy rate, among the highest in the sector.
• Over 50% of adult social care providers report difficulty recruiting staff, and nearly a third struggle to retain them.
• Secondary school teacher recruitment activity in 2025 is over 30% lower than the previous year.
• Teacher training recruitment in subjects such as Physics, Business Studies, and Modern Foreign Languages is significantly below targets.

These figures show that shortages are not isolated but part of a long-term challenge for the UK’s workforce.

Healthcare: Roles Facing Shortages

Healthcare is the backbone of the UK’s public services, yet several key roles remain consistently understaffed. Shortages are placing strain on hospitals, GP surgeries, and social care providers, with consequences for patient care, waiting times, and staff wellbeing. Below are the professions under the greatest pressure.

Detailed information about the job roles in the healthcare sector facing shortages is given below:

Job Role	Shortage Summary	Average Salary
Nurses & Midwives	High vacancies in hospitals and community care; midwives face added pressure in maternity services.	£28,000 – £45,000
Mental Health Professionals	Shortage of mental health nurses, psychiatrists, and psychologists; long patient waiting times.	£32,000 – £80,000
Physiotherapists	Critical for rehabilitation and recovery, but difficult to recruit nationwide.	£30,000 – £45,000
Occupational Therapists	Shortages affect community and hospital-based recovery services.	£28,000 – £43,000
Radiographers	Key for diagnostics; recruitment struggles increase diagnostic backlogs.	£30,000 – £48,000
Speech & Language Therapists	Shortages affect children’s services and stroke rehabilitation.	£27,000 – £42,000
Social Care & Care Workers	Adult social care providers report high vacancy and turnover rates.	£21,000 – £28,000
General Practitioners (GPs)	GP shortages reduce access to primary care, increasing pressure on hospitals.	£65,000 – £100,000
Nurse Practitioners	Community-based advanced nursing roles remain in short supply.	£40,000 – £55,000
Paramedics	Demand rising due to emergency pressures; shortages delay response times.	£27,000 – £47,000

Teaching: Subject Specialisms and Roles in Shortage

The teaching profession in the UK is under mounting pressure, particularly in secondary education and specialist roles. Recruitment into teacher training continues to fall short of targets in many subject areas, while retention issues add further strain. These shortages directly impact pupils’ access to quality education, especially in schools serving disadvantaged communities.

Detailed information about the job roles facing shortage in the teaching sector of the UK is given below:

Job Role	Shortage Summary	Average Salary (UK, 2026 est.)
Physics Teachers	Consistently less than 20% of training intake targets met; critical shortage in secondary schools.	£32,000 – £55,000
Mathematics Teachers	Severe recruitment gap; high demand across all regions, especially in secondary schools.	£32,000 – £55,000
Chemistry Teachers	Shortage impacts science departments, reducing pupils’ STEM opportunities.	£31,000 – £53,000
Computing Teachers	Recruitment well below expectations; essential for digital literacy and future skills.	£30,000 – £52,000
Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) Teachers	French, German, and Spanish consistently under-recruited; intake often far below target.	£30,000 – £51,000
Business Studies Teachers	Recruitment sometimes as low as 20% of targets; demand rising with curriculum needs.	£31,000 – £53,000
Design & Technology Teachers	Difficulty filling posts reduces subject availability in many schools.	£30,000 – £51,000
Music Teachers	Shortages limit arts education, particularly in state schools.	£29,000 – £50,000
Primary & Early Years Teachers	Shortages more acute in disadvantaged areas; early years provision hit by retention challenges.	£28,000 – £45,000
Special Educational Needs (SEND) Teachers	Persistent nationwide shortage; rising demand for tailored education support.	£32,000 – £55,000

Regional Variations and Hotspots

Workforce shortages in healthcare and teaching are not evenly spread across the UK. Certain regions experience sharper gaps due to demographic pressures, cost of living, and large-scale infrastructure projects. These regional patterns highlight where demand is greatest and where targeted support is most needed.

Detailed information about the regional variation and hotspots for healthcare and teaching jobs is given below:

Region	Teaching Shortages	Healthcare Shortages	Key Challenges
London & South East	AI, data, and fintech subject teachers	Nursing and social care staff	High cost of living makes recruitment and retention difficult
Midlands & North West	Mechanical and manufacturing subject teachers	Healthcare staff for large industrial communities	Shortages in advanced manufacturing hubs
Scotland & North East	Secondary teachers in growth communities	Healthcare professionals linked to renewable energy and rural areas	Rural vacancies remain unfilled for long periods
Infrastructure Project Regions	STEM subject teachers to support local growth	Healthcare staff in expanding communities	Demand driven by HS2, Northern Powerhouse Rail, and urban development

Impacts of Shortages

The shortages across healthcare and teaching have far-reaching effects, not only on staff but also on the wider public. These gaps reduce the quality, accessibility, and consistency of essential services, while deepening inequalities between regions and communities.

• Longer waiting times in healthcare: NHS and social care shortages result in delays for patients, with longer queues for GP appointments, hospital treatments, and community support.
• Reduced subject choices in schools: Pupils face narrower curriculum options, especially in STEM and creative subjects, where teacher shortages are most acute.
• Greater reliance on agency staff: To fill urgent gaps, schools and hospitals turn to temporary staff, which raises costs and disrupts continuity of care and learning.
• Increased staff stress: Remaining staff shoulder heavier workloads, leading to burnout, lower morale, and higher turnover, which further exacerbates shortages.
• Widening inequalities: Disadvantaged areas are hit hardest, where shortages are more severe and resources scarcer, creating unequal access to healthcare and education.

Forecasts and the Path Ahead

Projections highlight that with timely action and investment, the UK has a strong opportunity to reduce workforce shortages in healthcare and teaching and build a more sustainable future.

• NHS workforce gap: Without intervention, the NHS could face a shortfall of more than 250,000 staff by 2036/37, threatening service delivery and patient care.
• Teacher vacancies: In key subjects, vacancies remain several times higher than pre-pandemic levels, with STEM, Modern Foreign Languages, and SEND education hardest hit.
• Mental health and social care: Demand for professionals in these areas is expected to outpace workforce growth significantly throughout the next decade.

Healthcare and teaching are the backbone of the UK’s public services, but shortages in roles such as nurses, midwives, mental health specialists, and STEM teachers risk undermining both quality and equity. Addressing these challenges requires coordinated action on recruitment, retention, training, and working conditions. With the right policies and investment, the UK has the opportunity to build a resilient, future-ready workforce that meets the needs of both patients and pupils.

FAQs

Which healthcare jobs are facing the most shortages in the UK?

The healthcare jobs that are facing the most shortages in the UK are given below:

• Nurses & Midwives – High vacancies in hospitals, community care, and maternity services.
• Mental Health Professionals – Shortage of nurses, psychiatrists, and psychologists, with rising demand.
• Allied Health Professionals – Gaps in physiotherapy, occupational therapy, radiography, and speech & language therapy.
• Social Care & Care Workers – Persistent vacancies, especially in non-residential adult care.
• General Practitioners (GPs) – Difficulty recruiting family doctors, leading to longer patient waits.
• Nurse Practitioners & Community Healthcare Staff – Shortages in advanced practice and primary care roles.
• Paramedics – Growing demand in emergency care, with workforce pressures across regions.

How do teacher shortages affect UK schools and pupils?

Teacher shortages mean schools often have to reduce subject offerings, particularly in STEM and creative fields. Pupils may be taught by non-specialists, which can affect the quality of learning. Larger class sizes and fewer resources increase pressure on both students and staff. In disadvantaged areas, shortages are more severe, limiting equal access to high-quality education. The impact extends beyond the classroom, as long-term skill gaps in science, technology, and languages can affect the UK’s competitiveness in a global economy.

What is being done to tackle teacher shortages in the UK?

The UK government and education providers are working on measures to boost teacher recruitment and retention. Incentives such as bursaries and scholarships are offered for shortage subjects like Physics and Maths. Mentoring programmes and workload reduction initiatives aim to support early-career teachers. Schools are also exploring flexible working arrangements and career development pathways to improve retention. However, experts stress that sustained investment, competitive pay, and targeted support for disadvantaged regions will be key to long-term solutions.

What are the main causes of healthcare workforce shortages?

The primary causes for shortage in healthcare workforce are given below:

• Training delays – Roles like nursing, midwifery, and radiography take years to qualify, slowing workforce supply.
• High workloads – Long shifts, staff shortages, and rising demand increase pressure on existing staff.
• Retention challenges – Many leave within the first five years due to stress, burnout, or better opportunities elsewhere.
• Pay concerns – Salary levels often lag behind workload intensity and cost of living, reducing job appeal.
• Regional disparities – Rural and disadvantaged areas struggle more to recruit and retain healthcare professionals.

How can the UK address healthcare and teaching shortages?

The measures taken by the UK to address healthcare and teaching shortages are given below:

• Expand recruitment – Increase training places, bursaries, and open more pathways for overseas professionals.
• Support international talent – Use the UK Work Visa system to attract qualified healthcare workers and teachers from abroad.
• Improve retention – Reduce workloads, raise pay, and prioritise staff wellbeing to keep experienced professionals.
• Boost training pipelines – Invest in healthcare education and teacher training, especially in shortage subjects.
• Offer regional incentives – Encourage staff, including international recruits, to work in rural and disadvantaged areas.
• Strengthen workforce planning – Implement long-term strategies backed by sustained investment and monitoring.