Asylum seekers can work in care homes after Priti Patel rule change

Move to ease recruitment crisis is described as ‘temporary measure’ made in light of ‘unprecedented challenges’



Asylum seekers who have waited more than a year for a decision can now work to help ease the care home recruitment crisis under a rule change sanctioned by Priti Patel, the Home Secretary.

Up to 32,000 asylum seekers who have been waiting more than 12 months are eligible for jobs as care workers after they were added to the Government’s shortage occupation list. They are only permitted to work if they are in a shortage profession and have spent more than a year waiting.

Industry chiefs and government advisers said the asylum seekers could play a vital part in plugging gaps in the hard-pressed care sector where there are an estimated 140,000 vacancies, accounting for 10 per cent of the workforce.

Although the Government’s rule change is ostensibly designed to enable the sector to recruit foreign workers, many of the vacant care jobs are not eligible for the necessary visas because they fall below the minimum salary allowed of £20,480.
‘Huge pressure’

Asylum seekers do not require visas as they are already in the UK and, unlike other shortage occupations like butchers, welders and laboratory technicians, care workers do not require specialist training.

Ben Greening, executive director of Migration Watch, said: “Instead of surrendering yet again to the immigration lobby, the Government should have ensured higher pay and better terms for care workers. It should have made these jobs more attractive, including for UK jobseekers. Instead, it has thrown this opportunity away.”

Morally wrong and indefensible. Patel should hang her head in shame.

How many care workers have (allegedly) lost their jobs due to a draconian and totally unnecessary rule about vaccinations?

It's funny how these ‘temporary measures’ have a habit of becoming permanent?