In Detail, In Brief: The Future of the Care Workforce

Karin Smyth MP speaking in the House of Commons alongside Stephen Kinnock MP, Minister of State for Care

There has been considerable speculation about the impact of the recent White Paper on immigration published earlier this month on the care sector. The contribution made to our society by workers from overseas in health and social care is not in doubt, I value this contribution highly.   

The immigration system we inherited from the previous government was in chaos, exploited by criminals here and abroad. In the care sector more than 470 providers have had their licences suspended, and workers arriving in the UK found their “jobs” simply did not exist. Other were subject to abuse and exploitation paid at wages that undercut reputable employers, and in some examples were below the legal minimum.  

Around 40,000 people have been cruelly impacted in this way, and they will be given the opportunity to do the jobs they were promised. Anyone in Bristol South who has been affected in this way can contact commissioning.swadass@swcouncils.gov.uk for advice, guidance and help finding a new employer who can sponsor their visa. 

It is quite astonishing that under the Tory policy employers were encouraged to recruit from overseas in shortage occupations with the introduction of a 70-90% wage discount of the “going rate”.  This created a totally unacceptable perverse incentive not to employ nor train UK workers. However, following increased checks to establish “genuine vacancies” the number of applicants has fallen by 68% by the end of last year.   

For more than a decade the previous government failed to help train the UK workforce and as a result we have poor levels of productivity, which has hindered economic growth and harmed every UK resident regardless of background. 

Next year the Casey Review of adult social care will set out Labour’s plan for a national care service, this is alongside the Fair Pay Agreement in the Employment Rights Bill which will set minimum national standards for pay and conditions for care workers. This will be enforced by the new Fair Work Agency. These Labour manifesto commitments are expected to result in lower staff turnover, lower recruitment costs and improved quality of care, as well as a better deal for all workers.