Dorset Care Chief Voices Fears For Sector Over Plans To Cut Net Migration
New plans to cut net migration will mean separating overseas care workers from their families and could destabilise the vulnerable social care sector, says Dorset care chief Kevin Gunputh, CEO of LuxuryCare Group, which runs six care homes in Bournemouth and Poole.
He has spoken out in response to the Home Secretary’s announcement setting out a raft of new policies designed to cut net migration by 300,000 – including barring migrant care workers from bringing in dependants from next April.
Kevin Gunputh, who employs 600 staff across his homes, is also concerned that the already vulnerable care sector, where high vacancy rates are a perpetual problem, will be hit hard by the policies, which could deter workers coming in from overseas.
He said: “This strikes me as rather a heartless step by our government, the implications of which haven’t been fully considered – either on the macro level, taking account of the risk of destabilising the social care sector, and at an individual level, because it fails to take into account the impact this will have on families.
“This change means that care workers with spouses and children will either give up on coming to work in the UK or be forced to make a huge personal sacrifice to do so – leaving their loved ones behind.
“That will have massive consequences for their mental health and wellbeing – not to mention the added financial burden of maintaining two family homes and trying to fund visits.”
The announcement comes less than two years since skilled worker visas were opened up to overseas care workers to tackle record staff shortages in the UK. The number of health and care visas doubled to 143,990 in the year to September, and resulted in 173,896 dependants coming to the UK. But the sector still has 152,000 vacancies currently, and remains vulnerable.
Added Kevin: “Overseas staff have played a very significant role in UK care homes post-Brexit. They’ve been crucial in filling the gap in our sector, but we are far from out of the woods and this policy could really set us back.
“Time and again the government overlooks our sector, failing to fully grasp the challenges we face, our needs, and those of the people we support. We are still crying out for government investment and a long-term workforce plan.
“It is so important the vital role we fulfil is recognised; a social care staffing crisis, which is a real threat in the wake of these new policies, could have a domino effect. Without enough staff for care homes, we risk operational issues and bed shortages, which in turn could impact the NHS and the general public.
“Sadly, those paying the biggest price will ultimately be those people who rely on the care and support our sector provides. Those we care for are always my number one priority, and I am ready to fight for them. I intend to work with colleagues in my sector and challenge the government on this.”
Under the plans announced by James Cleverly on Tuesday the salary threshold workers will need to meet in order to obtain a visa will be raised to £38,700, up from £26,200 – although health and social care sector workers will be exempt from meeting this. The salary threshold for spousal visas will also be raised. In addition, employers will no longer be able to pay overseas workers less than UK employees in sectors where staff are in short supply.
