Kent County Council leaders have raised urgent concerns regarding the UK government's plans to eliminate health and social care visas for foreign workers. They warn that this could leave care providers facing severe staffing shortages. The new Immigration Bill will require firms to prioritize hiring British workers or extending the visas of current overseas staff. Around 20-25% of the local social care workforce is currently made up of overseas workers, and the planned changes are unsustainable according to council leaders. The government cites rising exploitation issues among overseas workers as justification for ending the visa route.
A Reform UK-led council has expressed significant concern over the government's plans to end health and social care visas for overseas workers, warning of dire consequences for care provision.
KCC leader Linden Kemkaran highlighted that the closure of overseas recruitment routes could leave care providers "on a cliff edge" due to reliance on foreign workers.
The changes to the Social Care Worker Visa will require firms to hire British nationals or extend visas for existing overseas workers, impacting 20-25% of the social care workforce.
The government's decision was attributed to rising incidents of abuse and exploitation of overseas workers, indicating challenges in the current system that needed addressing.
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