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Brexit: UK's new fast-track immigration system to exclude care workers Brexit: UK's new fast-track immigration system to exclude care workers
(about 2 hours later)
Minimum salary thresholds to also remain in place, presenting additional barrierMinimum salary thresholds to also remain in place, presenting additional barrier
Care home staff will be excluded from the government’s post-Brexit fast-track visa system for health workers, the government has confirmed.Care home staff will be excluded from the government’s post-Brexit fast-track visa system for health workers, the government has confirmed.
The 130-page paper, which was published by the Home Office on Monday, also sets out the stringent English-language conditions for overseas nationals from both EU and non-EU countries seeking to come and work in the UK. Details of the immigration system, which comes into force in the new year, outlined in a 130-page Home Office paper, shows there will be, in effect, no route into the UK for the vast majority of overseas care staff despite repeated warnings from the sector of shortages and concerns about the impact of coronavirus.
It additionally describes a robust-sounding expulsion regime in which EU nationals could be expelled if they are jailed even for less than a year, and details a “global talent” route for entrants, by which arrivals can be officially endorsed by scientific or arts organisations. Home Office officials expect an increase in UK nationals joining the care sector amid rising unemployment in other sectors, caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The basis of the new points-based system, which will close UK borders to lower-paid workers or those who cannot speak English after the country leaves the EU, was initially set out in February, before the peak of the coronavirus crisis focused attention on the work of NHS and care staff, many of whom are from overseas. Amid widespread appreciation and praise for health and care staff during the pandemic, the government has come up with fast-track entry under a “health and care visa” with reduced application fees and dedicated support to assist those applying and their families.
The new document says the government “welcomes the vital contributions which doctors, nurses and other health professionals from overseas make to the NHS and wider health and care sector”, and outlines a special visa for skilled workers. But despite the name, the list of professions that can use the visa, in an appendix of the document, does not cover care staff.
This will include fast-track entry under what is called a “health and care visa” with “reduced” application fees and dedicated support to assist those applying and their families. But despite the name, the list of professions who can use the visa, in an appendix of the document, does not cover care staff.
Downing Street confirmed this was the case. “We want employers to invest more in training and development for care workers in this country,” Boris Johnson’s spokesman said.Downing Street confirmed this was the case. “We want employers to invest more in training and development for care workers in this country,” Boris Johnson’s spokesman said.
“On care workers specifically, our independent migration advisers have said that immigration is not the sole answer here, which is why we have provided councils with an additional £1.5bn of funding for social care in 2021-22, as well as launching a new recruitment campaign.” “On care workers specifically, our independent migration advisers have said immigration is not the sole answer here, which is why we have provided councils with an additional £1.5bn of funding for social care in 2021-22, as well as launching a new recruitment campaign.”
All applicants must also meet minimum salary requirements. The general minimum threshold for a skilled workers is £25,600, although this falls to £20,480 both for people near the start of their careers, and for some people in the health and education sectors. Labour condemned the decision. Nick Thomas-Symonds, the shadow home secretary, said it was “a clear signal that this government does not appreciate the skill and dedication these roles involve”.
This would represent an additional barrier to many care workers, given average salaries in the sector are about £16,500 a year. It also remains to be seen how much such people will need to pay in fees. He added: “Anyone reading the government paper on immigration today will be asking themselves what ministers have against care workers.”
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Johnson said he did not think the changes would overly affect the care sector. Christine Jardine, the Liberal Democrats’ home affairs spokeswoman, said the decision was “utterly outrageous”, adding: “Priti Patel might consider social care workers to be unskilled, but the coronavirus pandemic reminds us they are anything but.”
“Although of course we are going to be taking back control and we are controlling our immigration system we’re not going to be simply slamming the gates and stopping anybody anywhere coming into this country,” he said. While a few very senior care roles in the NHS could allow arrivals to qualify for the visa, the minimum threshold is what is known as regulated qualifications framework (RFQ) three or above, roughly equivalent to A-levels.
The Home Office classes most care staff as being at RFQ one, equivalent to lower-graded GCSE passes. New overseas nationals will still be able to work in care but only if they are dependants of someone else, or have another type of visa, for example a student visa.
Much of the rest of the Home Office document sets out in more detail previously announced elements of the new immigration regime, which will close UK borders to lower-paid workers or those who cannot speak English after the country leaves the EU.
Farm workersThe new system has prompted warnings about a lack of seasonal farm workers. Arrangements have been made for seasonal harvest workers, but below levels the National Farmers’ Union has said is needed. The updated immigration document gives no new details on this, saying the sector will be reassessed at the end of this year after the end of a pilot scheme.
English language testsThe document does outline the first details of stringent English language tests that will apply to all immigrants. In future, arrivals will have to demonstrate language competency by showing they have “passed a secure English language test” or that they “meet the required level in a previous successful immigration application”.
Scientists, engineers and artistsThe document gives the first details of the government’s “global talent” route, which will be led by an Office for Talent based inside No 10. The system will encourage the arrival of not just scientists and engineers but also leading workers in the humanities and arts. Would-be arrivals can be processed rapidly if their application is endorsed by bodies such as the the Royal Society, the Royal Academy of Engineering or Arts Council England.
DeportationOn deportation, the paper outlines what it calls a robust and consistent approach for people from the EU and elsewhere. Currently, all EU nationals jailed for a year or more are considered for deportation, and possibly for shorter jail terms if they are serious or persistent criminals. This only applies for sentences imposed after the end of this year.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Johnson said he felt the new system would be humane. “Although of course we are going to be taking back control and we are controlling our immigration system we’re not going to be simply slamming the gates and stopping anybody anywhere coming into this country,” he said.
“Where people can contribute to this country, where people want to make their lives and do great things for this country, of course we’re going to have a humane and sensible system.”“Where people can contribute to this country, where people want to make their lives and do great things for this country, of course we’re going to have a humane and sensible system.”
The new system has prompted warnings not just about a lack of NHS and care staff, but also seasonal farm workers. Arrangements have been made for seasonal harvest workers, but below levels the National Farmers’ Union has said is needed.
The updated immigration document gives no new details on this, saying the sector will be reassessed at the end of this year after the end of a pilot scheme.
The Home Office has also unveiled the first details of stringent English language test that will apply to all immigrants.
The government revealed in February that it would be closing the borders to those who could not speak English, adding to fears ithis would bring an end to cheaper EU labour in factories, warehouses and farming where fluency was not a key priority for employers.
In future, immigrants will have to demonstrate language competency by showing they have “passed a secure English language test” or that they “meet the required level in a previous successful immigration application”.
Students will have to demonstrate they had A-level or equivalent English while skilled workers will have to have AS level or equivalent.
The document also gives the first details of the government’s “global talent” route, which will be led by an Office for Talent based inside No 10.
The system will encourage the arrival of not just scientists and engineers, but also leading workers in the humanities and arts. Would-be arrivals can be processed rapidly if their application is endorsed by bodies such as the the Royal Society, the Royal Academy of Engineering, or Arts Council England.
On deportation, the paper outlines what it calls a robust and consistent approach for people both from the EU and elsewhere.
Now, also EU nationals jailed for a year or more are considered for deportation, and possibly for shorter jail terms if they are serious or persistent criminals. This only applies for sentences imposed after the end of this year.