Labour’s Plans for Hiring Foreign Workers: Care England Responds

The BBC is reporting on Labour’s plans to curb firms from hiring foreign workers if they don’t comply with their plans for training British workers.

In response, Professor Martin Green OBE, Chief Executive of Care England says:

“Labour’s proposal for a workforce and training plan for the adult social care sector is welcome. Care England has long said that in order to reduce the sector’s reliance on overseas staff, reform must be delivered that makes the sector a more attractive destination for the domestic workforce. This means boosted pay, terms and conditions, the chance for career progression and parity of esteem with colleagues in the NHS.”

“If successful at the next general election, Labour must deliver on these priorities and engage in meaningful consultation with the adult social care sector in the production of its workforce and training plan.”

“The judgement whether a sector has taken ‘sufficient steps’ to boost training and skills being at the discretion of the Minister is a cause for concern. Social care is used as a political football, as seen recently with the Government’s recent decision to ban overseas workers from bringing dependents to the UK having a detrimental impact on our sector. Care England calls for this judgement to be made by an independent body.”