Statement on UK immigration rules changes

The College is concerned over proposed changes to immigration policies in the UK and their potential effects on the social care sector. The changes are likely to make it more challenging for care providers to recruit essential staff from overseas. The proposed changes include:

• Closing a dedicated visa for social care workers, introduced during the COVID pandemic;
• Overseas workers will now generally need a degree-level qualification to apply for the main skilled worker visa;
• Tougher English language tests;
• Longer residency waits – to 10 years for the right to stay in the UK indefinitely.

In making this public statement, we join with care sector organisations and care home managers across the UK, who are concerned that the immigration plans could lead to care facility closures and longer NHS waiting lists – in part, as a result of a possible rise in delayed discharges, if recruitment stalls.

Commenting, Professor Sunil Bhandari, Vice President (England and Wales) said:

Care workers are essential in maintaining the independence and well-being of people with various health conditions - ranging from physical and mental disabilities to chronic and terminal illnesses. Without enough care workers, the quality and accessibility of care for these groups could be compromised.

The College supports maintaining robust recruitment practices. The UK Government must work with the UK Medical Royal Colleges to ensure that international recruitment is sustainable while enabling trusts, boards and care facilities to fill vacancies ethically.

Dr Sue Pound, Vice President (Scotland and Northern Ireland) added:

We are calling on governments in all 4 UK nations to work more closely with the care sector. If we are to attract more people into the care sector, government needs to focus on improving pay and working conditions and reverse the undervaluing of these critical roles. This is vital not only for the sustainability of the care sector but also for ensuring high-quality care for individuals in need.