PRITI Patel’s failure to recognise that Scotland “needs different immigration approaches is a failure that will cost lives”, according to the CEO of Scottish Care.
Downing Street confirmed this week that social care workers will not be eligible for the UK Government’s post-Brexit health visas.
Ministers have defended the decision against criticism throughout the week, saying the policy is intended to encourage more UK workers into care jobs.
Earlier this year the Scottish Government submitted proposals to Westminster, explaining how immigration powers could be devolved to Holyrood to allow Scotland to decide who can come into the country. UK ministers rejected the plan within hours of receiving it.
Donald Macaskill spoke to the BBC’s Good Morning Scotland today, arguing that the exclusion of social care workers will “cost lives, weaken the system of care and irreparably damage rural communities in Scotland”.
READ MORE: ‘Utter slap in the face’ as Tories snub care workers from health visa
Writing on Twitter later, he said Home Secretary Patel’s “failure to recognise that Scotland has a unique demographic, geographical and health needs and thus needs different immigration approaches is a failure that will cost lives in months ahead”.
He added: “This is beyond party politics. It is shameful.”
Details of the new fast-track health and care visa were published this week. Only those classed as skilled workers – for example, doctors, nurses, radiographers, social workers, and paramedics – will be eligible for the visa.
Those applying for the health visa will also need to be coming to a job that pays at least £20,480 – which is substantially more than a beginning salary for a care worker.
Under the Tories’ new points-based immigration, anyone from any sector who wants to live and work in the UK will need to have at least 70 points.
Applicants can achieve 50 points straight away if they have an offer of a job on a list of eligible occupations and can speak English.
Further points will be awarded based on qualifications and salary attached to the job offered.
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