Migration Recommendations Would ‘Shut The Door’ To Much-Needed Care Workers

Commenting on the Migration Advisory Committee report on a points-based system and salary thresholds for immigration, Simon Bottery, Senior Fellow at The King’s Fund, said:

‘One in six staff working in adult social care in England have a non-British nationality. These workers are crucial for the viability of social care services, which are struggling to cope with approximately 122,000 vacancies at any one time.

‘By prioritising higher-paid workers, the Migration Advisory Committee recommendations for a points-based visa system would effectively shut the door to thousands of people who are desperately needed to shore up the social care workforce. In doing so, the committee has batted the social care staffing problem back to government, challenging the government to improve care worker pay and conditions so more home-grown staff are attracted to the roles.

‘However, the immediate reality is that the average hourly pay for care workers is below the rate paid in most supermarkets. The committee’s challenge risks being a triumph of hope over reality unless the government provides an immediate social care funding boost and a comprehensive plan for sustainable staffing, and the Prime Minster delivers on his commitment to “fix social care once and for all”.’