UK TO RELAX IMMIGRATION RULES FOR CARE WORKERS AMID STAFF SHORTAGES

Sat 25 December 2021:

To address shortages in the healthcare sector, the UK government is aiming to hire a large number of foreign caregivers.

The news comes as the country experiences a significant increase in coronavirus cases due to the spread of the Omicron type. It has put a lot of strain on the healthcare sector.

Several international social workers, care assistants, and home care workers could be eligible for a one-year UK Health and Care Visa.

The measure follows the UK’s Migration Advisory Committee’s recommendation (MAC). It had requested that care workers and home carers be made eligible for the Health and Care Visa, as well as that the occupation be included to the Shortage Occupation List (SOL).

“The care sector is experiencing unprecedented challenges prompted by the pandemic and the changes we’ve made to the health and care visa will bolster the workforce and helping alleviate some of the pressures currently being experienced,” Home Secretary Priti Patel said.

“This is our New Plan for Immigration in action, delivering our commitment to support the NHS and the wider health and care sector by making it easier for health professionals to live and work in the UK,” Patel added.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid said “it is vital we continue to do all we can to protect the social care sector during the pandemic and beyond.

“These measures… will help us ensure short term sustainability and success for our long-term vision to build social care back better,” he added.

These temporary measures could be implemented as early as next year.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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