The recent government decision to overhaul immigration policies, specifically targeting the recruitment of care workers from overseas, has sparked significant concern among care providers who rely heavily on international staff to fill the vast number of vacancies in the sector. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced these sweeping reforms with the aim of significantly reducing immigration, suggesting that the UK should have a migration system that is "controlled, selective, and fair." However, care providers argue that without addressing the underlying issues that deter UK nationals from entering the field, this change will exacerbate the existing crisis in social care.
Currently, the social care sector in England faces a daunting challenge with 131,000 vacancies, despite efforts to recruit internationally. Care companies have expressed fears that without the lifeline of overseas recruitment, many services will struggle to survive. Prof Martin Green of Care England, the largest representative body for independent care providers, criticized the government's decision as "short-sighted" and "cruel," especially since it was introduced without any warning, additional funding, or viable alternatives.
The government's plan includes extending visas for existing international staff and encouraging the recruitment of migrants already in the UK who have yet to secure employment. Additionally, there is a promise of a new fair pay agreement for care staff and an emphasis on training more UK nationals. However, Dr Jane Townson of the Homecare Association points out that these changes are being introduced "in a vacuum," with no immediate plan to deliver the care workers required by the country. The promise of a fair pay agreement seems distant, leaving many skeptical about the effectiveness of the proposed measures.
The crisis in social care is not a new phenomenon. It has been brewing for years, fueled by squeezed council funding, significant staff shortages, and increasing demand from an ageing population. Despite the recognition of care workers during the pandemic, which saw them applauded alongside health workers, this did not translate into better pay or improved status. According to Skills for Care, around 1.7 million people are employed in social care in England, but the jobs often pay minimum wage or slightly above, with little acknowledgment of the increasing responsibility and complexity involved.
The competitive job market further complicates the issue. Many individuals opt for jobs in other sectors, such as retail, which offer similar or better pay for less strenuous work. Additionally, the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic saw a wave of staff leaving the care sector due to burnout or the inability to cope with rising living costs.
In the period between April 2021 and March 2022, social care vacancies soared to a record high of 165,000, marking a 52% increase from the previous year. This alarming situation prompted Boris Johnson's Conservative government to classify care work as a shortage occupation, thereby easing the process for companies to recruit from overseas. Under this scheme, recruits were required to earn a minimum of £20,480 annually to qualify for a visa, and they were permitted to bring their families with them.
This initiative led to a surge in overseas recruitment, with 80,000 people arriving in the UK to work in care in 2022/23 and another 105,000 visas issued in 2023/24. For many care providers, international staff were crucial to maintaining operations and preventing collapse. However, the system was not without its flaws. Instances of exploitation emerged, with some recruits paying exorbitant fees to middlemen for travel and sponsorship certificates.
Since 2022, the Home Office has revoked the licenses of 470 care companies to recruit internationally, resulting in approximately 40,000 displaced staff. Many of these workers are believed to have secured alternative employment within the care sector.
In March 2024, the government, under Rishi Sunak's leadership, further tightened visa requirements, including a ban on recruits bringing family members. This decision led to a sharp decline in the number of care workers arriving from abroad. By December 2024, only 9,500 visas were granted for caring personal services.
Despite these dramatic changes, little progress has been made in encouraging UK nationals to enter the care sector. Government-funded recruitment campaigns continue, alongside discussions about improving pay and status for care workers, but tangible solutions seem distant.
To address the ongoing crisis, the independent Casey Commission was established to develop comprehensive plans for adult social care. Described by ministers as a "once in a generation opportunity," the commission aims to build a cross-party consensus on the future of the sector. Its first update is expected next year