Care Forum Wales is deeply troubled by the UK Government’s White Paper on immigration. Our sector depends on the invaluable contributions of international workers who dedicate their skills, compassion, and expertise to caring for the most vulnerable in our communities.
Ending overseas recruitment entirely would eliminate a critical source of workforce supply without first establishing a viable alternative. Labelling this workforce as ‘low-skilled’ overlooks the expertise and dedication of both international and domestic professionals—individuals whose contributions merit recognition and sustained investment.
The implications of this policy could have devastating consequences for the stability of health and social care in Wales. Our Chair, Mario Kreft, comments:
“This White Paper shows the government’s short-sighted, reactionary thinking for political point scoring, which is not at all in tune with the reality of the Health and Social Care situation in Wales.”
We urge policymakers to reconsider the true impact of these changes and engage meaningfully with the sector to safeguard the future of care provision.