The new Reform UK leadership at Kent County Council (KCC) has expressed “grave concerns” to the government about proposals to reduce health and social care visas.
KCC leader Linden Kemkaran has written to Home Secretary Yvette Cooper claiming the new immigration white paper could shut the overseas route to recruitment, which may represent up to a quarter of staff in that sector.
Cllr Kemkaran, who has received support for her stance from Liberal Democrat and opposition leader at KCC, Cllr Antony Hook, is also angry the county authority and care providers have not been formally notified of the Home Office changes.
The government states the document will make it harder to settle in the UK, with a view to reducing immigration numbers.
KCC has repeatedly warned central government about the growing demand for social care services and its increasing cost, which is currently around 70% of KCC’s annual £1.5bn budget.
The changes would see a reduction in the number of overseas visas in the United Kingdom and shutting the social care worker visa route to new applicants from 22 July this year.
KCC itself provides social care but also commissions other outside bodies.
Co-signed by Cllr Diane Morton, the KCC social care cabinet member, Cllr Kemkaran’s letter states: “Across the contracts for the council’s adult social care and health services there are approximately 150 providers we are aware of who have sponsorship licences which is equal to 20-25% of our social care workforce being from overseas.
“There are a number of displaced social care workers who may have lost their jobs, or the sponsoring provider has lost their licence.”
The letter adds: “Kent Integrated Care Alliance (KICA) has advised us that the Government has ringfenced £2m for the south east so providers could pick up these displaced people and get them into work.
“They would receive £5,000 each, however in three years’ time or when the visa expires, they are currently expected to pay the care worker £41,000 a year. This is £10,000 more than a band five nurse in the NHS.”
Coupled with the employers having to cover the cost of two national insurance rises, “this is totally unsustainable, and the risk is that many care workers at this level will go home and leave providers on a cliff edge”, says the letter.
Cllr Kemkaran adds: “This is obviously a national issue, and it is too early to describe the long-term impact on the council and care providers.
“Our contracts require all commissioned services to ensure they can deliver the required services and have business continuity plans in place and communicate any difficulties relating to service delivery.
“However, due to the challenges facing the adult social care system in general, and care providers in particular, we urge you to reconsider these changes and look forward to your support in addressing these urgent pressing matters.”
The same letter was sent to the minister for social care, Stephen Kinnock.
Both Ms Cooper’s and Mr Kinnock’s departments have been approached for comment.
Lib Dem Cllr Antony Hook said: “KCC has rightly acknowledged the importance of overseas workers to the care sector.
“Under the plans in the government’s immigration white paper, care providers will be able to apply until 2028 to extend their workers’ visas, but will have to pay the Home Office’s Immigration Skills Charge, which the Government is raising to £1,320 for each worker per year of their visa.
“This means a five-year extension for just one care worker would cost their employer £6,600 upfront. The Liberal Democrats are calling on the Government to waive this fee for NHS and care staff.
“Imposing crippling Home Office fees on top of the Government’s misguided jobs tax (the national insurance increase) will just make the crisis even worse, pushing many care homes to the brink and leaving our loved ones in the lurch.
“People who have moved to the UK to look after our elderly and disabled people are doing tough jobs and helping to keep our NHS on its feet. They should be thanked for their contribution, not demonised.”
