Published by Hannah Wooderson for 24dash.com in Housing , Central Government Advertisement Elderly people in care homes will suffer as a result of changes to immigration rules announced today, bosses warned. Homes are likely to close and fees rise because of employment restrictions on workers from outside Europe, they said. Martin Green, chief executive of the English Community Care Association, said his "worst fears" about the list of jobs available to non-European Economic Area workers had been confirmed. Only the most highly skilled care workers earning more than £8.80 an hour are included on the shortage occupation list. He warned the industry needed workers from places like India and the Philippines because similar skills were not available in Europe. "We're going to get closures because local authorities won't pay more," he said. "At the end of the day vulnerable people will suffer." Heather Wakefield, national officer at Unison, warned social care would "collapse" without migrant workers and said the ageing population meant the situation was likely to get worse. She said: "Migrant workers make a vital contribution to the UK's public sector - they care for the elderly and the sick and work in our schools and hospitals. "The social care sector would collapse without the highly skilled migrant workers who keep care homes, homecare services and social work teams running." Ministers touted the new list as a toughening of the rules. Immigration minister Phil Woolas said there were 200,000 fewer posts available via the shortage occupation route. But the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC), which drafted the list after examining labour market shortages, has said only 7% of the jobs were actually taken by non-European Economic Area workers last year. Were the same trend played out this year, only 14,000 fewer migrants would come to Britain. Ministers added social workers to the MAC's proposed list, published in September, citing fears of labour shortages. The move was welcomed by social worker unions. Ian Johnston, chief executive of the British Association of Social Workers said 12% of social worker posts were unfilled across the country. "I think the decision reflects the fact that it remains relatively difficult to recruit social workers especially for jobs working with children and families." Also on the list are ship and hovercraft officers, pipe fitters, sheep shearers, senior nurses and veterinary surgeons. Ministers accepted the committee's suggestion that only maths and science teachers be included, but have asked the MAC to keep all teacher posts under review. John Bangs, head of education at the National Union of Teachers, said he was concerned the system might be inflexible. He said he hoped the rules would not hamper exchanges of teachers between different countries. "The danger of a blanket ban is you never know when shortages will arise," he said. The MAC will also review chefs and senior care workers - which are new additions to the list. Town planners are not on the list but are also under review. Shadow immigration minister Damian Green demanded an annual limit on migration. He said: "The Government's tough talk is another con. If all 800,000 shortage positions were filled by foreign workers immigration would rise strongly. So talk of tighter controls is nonsense. "What we need on top of the points-based system is an annual limit on work permits, so that public services can cope with population change." Sir Andrew Green, chairman of pressure group Migrationwatch, called for the list to be ditched during the recession to allow British workers "first crack" at jobs. "Even with a serious recession approaching the Government are allowing up to 800,000 jobs to be offered to migrants without them first being advertised in Britain. "We believe this so-called shortage occupation route should be suspended to give British workers the first crack a all these jobs," he said. The list is part of the skilled worker tier of the Government's new points-based system. Workers who apply for the jobs are required to have strong English language skills, good qualifications and enough money to support themselves before their first pay cheque.Care home residents 'will suffer' under new immigration rules
Wednesday 12th November 2008 - 11:50amTODAY IN HOUSING
Care home costs 'to double in 20 years'
Friday, 14 November 2008
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