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<p>We recognise the challenges the sector is currently experiencing in recruiting
and retaining social care workers, which has been exacerbated by the pandemic and
wider labour market dynamics yet Immigration should not be seen as the go to solution
to these issues, rather than addressing wider issues in the sector. To support local
authorities and care providers address workforce pressures, the Government announced
in our recent <em>People at the Heart of Care </em>White Paper we would invest at
least £500 million to develop and support the workforce over the next three years,
which we believe will boost the sector’s ability to recruit and retain staff, as well
as improve the recognition of our vital adult social care workforce.</p><p> </p><p>The
Government also put in place additional measures to support the sector last winter
providing an additional £462.5m to boost recruitment and support existing care work
through the winter until March 2022.</p><p> </p><p>In addition, the introduction of
the Health and Care visa in August 2020 made it quicker and cheaper for regulated
health and care professionals to secure their visa to work in the Health and Care
sector. A number of Health and Care occupations – such as care workers, senior care
workers, nurses and auxiliary nurses and assistants – feature on the Shortage Occupation
List (SOL).</p><p> </p><p>On 27 April 2022 the independent Migration Advisory Committee
published its report into the impacts of the ending of free movement on the adult
social care sector. The MAC made a number of recommendations, spanning pay & conditions,
workforce strategy and immigration policy. The Government thanks the MAC and is considering
its position in relation to the issues raised.</p>
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