UK Government urged to think again on visas for care home staff

Nicola Sturgeon has warned that the exclusion of social care workers from a new postbrexit visa system could have a “devastating impact” on the industry in Scotland.

The First Minister urged the UK Government to rethink the decision which was set out by Home Secretary Priti Patel this week as a points-based visa system was published.

A new health and care visa will fast-track applications and reduce fees for immigrants working in certain professions within the NHS, including nurses and midwives, but social care workers have been excluded. “In terms of the impact I think it will have potentially a devastating impact on the social care workforce,” the SNP leader said yesterday.

“It is true for the whole of Scotland that between 6-8% of our social care workers right now are from countries elsewhere in the European Union.”

“Particularly now when we owe so much to the social care workforce to exclude them from the visa risk sending a message that we’re not grateful for the contribution that they have made, those that work in our social care system that come from elsewhere.

“So for practical reasons and the message it sends, I think it’s the wrong decision and I will continue to make representations to the UK Government to change that.”

The change is part of UK immigration reforms designed to cut the number of low-skilled migrants entering the country from the beginning of next year when the Brexit transition period ends.

The plans also aim to make it easier for higher-skilled workers to obtain UK visas.

Ms Patel said: “We are indebted to overseas health and care professionals for their tremendous contributions, not just in saving thousands of lives throughout this crisis.”