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Care home managers are expressing concerns that changes in immigration laws could lead to the closure of care homes, as outlined in a recent UK government white paper. The proposal suggests that care workers on sponsored visas would need to remain in the UK for a longer period of 10 years before being granted the right to live and work indefinitely, which is twice the current requirement of five years. This announcement has been met with shock and disappointment by care workers on sponsorship visas, with one worker describing it as “dashing” their hopes of a better life.
The prime minister highlighted the risks of the UK becoming an “island of strangers” in a speech where he introduced the proposal. The Home Office estimates that the new policies could result in a significant drop in immigration by 2029. Individuals like Folake, who currently holds a care sponsorship visa that expires in January, are concerned about the impact of these changes. Folake, who works as a nursing home carer, expressed her love for her job and her desire to build a better life for her family in the UK.
Successive governments have struggled to reduce net migration, which reached a record high in June 2023. The proposals outlined in the white paper aim to bring control back to the immigration system, creating a selective and fair process. Mukesh, who came to the UK legally and works in care on a sponsorship visa, voiced his confusion and frustration, feeling punished despite following all the rules. The potential impact of these changes is significant, with many care homes facing the possibility of closure due to a potential loss of essential staff.
In Wales, where a significant percentage of care workers come from overseas, the impact of these immigration changes is particularly concerning. Care home operators like Oakville Care Homes and Caron Group are worried about the implications for their workforce. General managers like Mahesh Patel and Rebecca Roberts emphasize the importance of recruiting and retaining staff to maintain the quality of care provided to residents. The UK government’s defense of the proposals and the Welsh government’s commitment to analyzing their impact on the social care sector highlight the ongoing debate surrounding immigration policies and their effects on various industries
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