Home Office Commissions Independent Review Of Brexit Immigration Impact On Social Care
Minister for Future Borders and Immigration, Kevin Foster MP has written to the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) to position an independent review of the impact that ending freedom of movement has had on adult social care.
A letter from immigration minister Kevin Foster to MAC chairman Professor Brian Bell states the review should examine the post-Brexit effects on skills shortages, covering the range of roles in adult social care including care workers, registered nurses and managerial roles.
The review follows a government commitment given in the House of Lords during consideration of the Immigration and Social Security Co-ordination (EU Withdrawal) Act 2020 to look at the impact on:
- the adult social care workforce (such as skills shortages) covering the range of caring roles in adult social care including care workers, registered nurses and managerial roles
- visa options for social care workers
- long term consequences for workforce recruitment, training and employee terms and conditions; and
- any other relevant matters the independent chair deems appropriate which are relevant to the above three objectives
A report due by April 2022 is expected to provide recommendations on how the government can resolve the issues that the sector is experiencing with the immigration system and to highlight wider issues such as employee terms and conditions.
Under the terms of the Commission, MAC will be ableto consult with devolved administrations, government departments, local authorities and other stakeholders as it deems necessary, as well as make a public call for evidence to the social care sector.
“The government will consider the recommendations and determine the appropriate course of action to take where it relates to reserved matters,” Mr. Foster states in his letter.
“Where any recommendations relate to matters which are devolved, it will be the responsibility of the Scottish Government, Welsh Government or Northern Ireland Executive to determine how these should be taken forward,” he added.