Title: Lincolnshire Care Companies Raise Alarm Over Potential Domestic Hiring Dilemma in Light of Immigration Restrictions
Revised Content:
Care companies in Lincolnshire have raised alarm over the prospect of significant staffing challenges as the government escalates restrictions on overseas recruitment. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has recently unveiled strategies to curb foreign hiring and tighten stipulations for skilled worker visas with the aim of reducing legal immigration, which reached an unprecedented peak of 906,000 in mid-2023.
Melanie Weatherley, head of the Lincolnshire Care Association, highlighted the predicament, mentioning that her own company, Walnut Care, had to resort to international hiring three years ago due to the difficulty of local recruitment. Weatherley observed, “With 10,000 positions vacant in Lincolnshire alone, it’s impossible to fill these roles with just the economically inactive. Care work is a profession of dedication, not just any job.”
Despite assurances from the government of fair pay and an increased focus on domestic recruitment, the task of local hiring remains a significant challenge. Tom Carter, Managing Director of Libertas, a care firm servicing a clientele of over 800 on a daily basis, voiced worries about how the new measures could affect their workforce, which is comprised of 10-15% international staff.
Carter praised the commitment of their overseas workers, stating, “These are the individuals who come, stay, and effect positive change every day.” Similarly, care worker Prince Thakur, who originally hails from India, reiterated the specific skills required in the care industry, emphasising that it demands more than just unskilled labour.
Frances Ledbury, an expert in immigration law, pointed out that recent regulations already mandate companies to prioritise domestic recruitment, a hurdle many firms have grappled with. The incoming changes are expected to further complicate staffing strategies in a sector that is already under considerable pressure.
This story was adapted by The Lincoln Post from original reporting by www.bbc.com.
