Scotlands care sector is warning of deeper staff shortages as Labour prepares to introduce immigration measures that care leaders say will drive international workers away at the very moment the country needs them most.
The Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, has outlined plans that would require health and social care workers to wait fifteen years before becoming eligible for permanent settlement, replacing the longstanding five year route.
The proposals come as Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar publicly described the measures as brave during a BBC interview, a remark that has deepened concern among providers already struggling to recruit and retain essential staff.
Care organisations fear the changes will make Scotland less attractive to workers who play a vital role in supporting older people, people with disabilities and families who rely on consistent and safe care.
Scottish Care chief executive Donald Macaskill has said he is deeply concerned about the direction of policy and believes the new settlement rules will deter much needed talent from staying in Scotland.
Health and Care Worker visas have already fallen by eighty eight per cent since the UK Government removed the right for applicants to bring dependants in March twenty twenty four, a move that significantly weakened recruitment pipelines.
Labour’s closure of the Social Care Visa Route in July twenty twenty five created further disruption, leaving many international workers without the sponsorship they needed to remain in post.
The SNP says the latest measures show Labour moving closer to Reform UK’s hard line stance on immigration and warns that Scotland’s care sector cannot withstand another hit to its workforce.
The party continues to call on the Home Office to reverse its changes and has highlighted the First Minister’s announcement of five hundred thousand pounds to support displaced international care workers who wish to continue contributing to Scotland’s care sector.
Emma Harper MSP set out the SNP’s concerns in full.
She said:
“Scotlands social care sector is already facing acute staff shortages due to hostile and restrictive migration policies from successive UK governments desperate to dance to Nigel Farages toxic tune on immigration.
“The proposals outlined this week by the Labour Home Secretary will only make the situation worse.
“Despite warnings about the devastating impact of the changes from experts in Scotlands care sector, Anas Sarwar has once again shown that he has no solutions and will always put standing up for his London bosses ahead of Scotlands needs.
“Scotlands care sector needs international workers.
“That is why the SNP has put in place measures to help social care workers who have been displaced to come to Scotland and contribute to our care sector.
“What Scotland really needs is a fresh start with independence so that we can shape a migration system that meets Scotlands needs and values rather than those of politicians hundreds of miles away in Westminster.”
The warnings come as Scotland faces rising demand for care, growing waiting lists and significant pressure on the NHS, all of which are made worse when there are not enough staff to provide timely support at home and in the community.
Providers say safe and sustainable care cannot be delivered without international recruitment and fear that the settlement plans would push experienced workers away and deter future applicants.
With winter pressures already building, the future of Scotland’s care workforce is set to remain a major political fault line as debate over migration, staffing and public services intensifies in the weeks ahead.
