PLAN TO SOLVE WORKFORCE CRISIS

SMILING paid carer Ray Brown, aged 73, looking after 90-yearold Richard Catchpole makes a heart-warming picture.

And such a scene may become very familiar as Britain has to call on an army of grey workers to meet a jobs crisis.

Experts are warning that there will be 14.5 million extra jobs in five years yet just seven million new younger workers for the posts.

They also believe migrant staff will not fill the gap as Brexit may deter workers from moving to Britain.

This means there will be a steady demand for the likes of former property maintenance boss Ray, of Norwich.

Most days he spends a few hours getting retired dentist Richard out of bed, making his breakfast and ensuring he takes his medication.

He said: “We’ve such a great rapport that I almost don’t see it as work.”

Ray’s caring career started in 2010 after he had to quit work having been diagnosed with a brain tumour, which was treated successfully.

Fishing

He answered an ad for Home Instead, which matches staff to clients, as: “It sounded like a nice way for me to slow down into my own retirement.

“I’d have never dreamed of sitting with an ‘old person’ but this job gives you a different outlook on life. Age definitely means you see life differently.

“Richard is really independent and enjoys life but needs some help. At lunch I pour him a glass of lager and usually heat up something his daughter has prepared.

“He loves rugby and cricket so we often talk about that. Memories of yesteryear crop up but he also likes to keep up with current affairs on his laptop.” Ray added: “I wish I’d done this job years ago. It’s like a second chance at life.”

He added older people have important life skills, a great work ethic and ageist firms are “definitely missing out”.

A sentiment echoed by Andy Briggs, the Government’s business champion for older workers, who wants firms to take on a million people aged 50-plus by 2022.

Andy, also chief executive of AVIVA UK Life, said: “Given the uncertain impacts on the economy and workforce that Brexit will bring, it will be even more important for the UK to make the most of its older workers who are, after all, those with the most experience.”

Analysis by human resources consultants Mercer found a growth in the workforce in 2016-17 was only due to the entry of foreign workers.

Mercer partner Gary Simmons said if Brexit puts Europeans off heading here for work we may face a real crisis.

He said: “Changes will require businesses to start fishing in different talent pools – the over-50s and people who have left the workforce for different reasons, including stay at home mums.

“Brexit has brought uncertainty in sectors who rely on migration and they are asking ‘where are we going to resource our people from’?”

Life expectancy in Britain is rising and the retirement age is increasing as the Government’s pension pot groans under