Over 70,000 care home staff will have to leave sector in November unless they get two Covid jabs
Care home leaders are urging the government to lift restrictions on low-paid foreign workers entering the UK to help solve a worsening staffing crisis, which could lead to up to 70,000 carers being forced out in November if they don’t get double vaccinated.
Care England, which represents the largest private care home chains, said ministers should cut the qualifying salary level for overseas recruitment of social care staff from £25,600 and add all care workers to the shortage occupation list used to grant visas. Currently the list includes only care managers and senior care staff rather than rank and file, even though some operators are facing such shortages they are having to turn down care requests.