Migration Adviser Warns of Exploitation in England’s Social Care System Prof Brian Bell, Chair of the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), has criticized the government’s reliance on low-paid foreign workers in the creaking social care system. He warns that the government’s tacit acceptance of exploitation in the sector is “appalling.”
New Legislation’s Impact on Existing Golden Visa Holders The newly voted-in Portuguese Golden Visa legislation brings clarity for existing visa holders and pending applicants. Pending applications will be converted into Entrepreneur Permits (D2 Visas), with minimum stay requirements and validity periods remaining unchanged.
Call for Improvement in Care Worker Wages Prof Bell expresses concern that the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has shown “no interest” in improving care worker wages. He believes that the government’s failure to tackle low wages indicates a belief that care workers should be paid less than those in other sectors.
Migration Advisory Committee’s Recommendations The MAC recommended labor shortages in social care required staff to be brought in from overseas using the health and social care visa, allowing for lower salaries than the typical floor applied to most jobs. However, Bell and colleagues insisted migration should be a temporary solution and urged the government to raise wages to attract more UK staff.
Concerns Over Worker Exploitation Prof Bell and colleagues express concern about the exploitation of low-paid overseas workers in the social care sector. Recent research by Unison highlights cases of care workers being charged exorbitant fees for job placements and accommodation in the UK, leading to substandard living conditions.
Need for Increased Funding and Pay for Social Care Bell suggests that the UK government should follow the lead of Scottish and Welsh governments, which have committed to raising pay for social care above the minimum wage and funding the sector accordingly.
Shadow Minister’s Response The shadow social care minister, Liz Kendall, criticizes the Tories for ignoring the crisis in the care workforce and emphasizes Labour’s commitment to recruiting and retaining more carers by introducing better rights, fair pay, and proper training.