THE government’s decision to relax immigration rules to overseas social care staff will fail to tackle the staffing crisis threatening to overwhelm the sector, trade unions have warned. 

Social care providers can now hire workers from abroad after the profession was added to the shortage occupation list today, allowing migrants to get work visas to fill job vacancies. 

But the role still requires applicants to earn at least £20,480 a year to qualify — far higher than the average wage of workers in the sector at £16,900.

Social care charity Community Integrated Care warned that proper pay, funding and training was needed to address shortages.

Chief executive Mark Adams said: “While we’re pleased to see the government finally concede that care workers play a skilled role in society, the reality is, for most providers, this change will have little or no effect.”

Unison head of care Gavin Edwards said: “With many care staff barely on the minimum wage, the threshold means this will make little difference to employers struggling to recruit. 

“Rather than tinker at the edges, the government must bring in real changes now. It could start by upping the care cash it gives councils and delivering a sector-wide rise to put everyone on at least the real living wage. 

“Care work is skilled work and should be paid as such.”

The Department of Health and Social Care made the decision in December following a recommendation from the migration advisory committee.

The temporary measures will be in place for a minimum of 12 months.

It comes after the government was accused of shutting the door on foreign health and social care workers who helped Britain through the pandemic. 

The United Voices of the World union, which represents predominantly migrant workers, says that the temporary measure shows the government is still refusing to “recognise how important social care work is.”

A spokesperson told the Morning Star: “If these workers were treated with the respect and dignity they deserve then they would be allowed to settle here, not just care for those in need.”

 The DHSC said that the visa can offer a path to settlement in Britain.