Care England welcomes immigration rule exemption for social care nurses

Care England has welcomed a Home Office announcement that all nurses will be exempted from the Tier 2 (General) limit.

The rules were announced by the Home Secretary Sajid Javid during a statement last week to the House of Commons.

Professor Martin Green OBE, Chief Executive of Care England, said: “We applaud the Government for exempting nurses working in social care as well as those in the NHS.  Whilst this may be a quick fix solution it sends an important message to nurses that they are a vital profession and the backbone of adult social care.”

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Care England said social care providers were being squeezed by reductions in social care funding, increased regulatory costs and the introduction of the National Living Wage, in combination with rising cost pressures through forced reliance on agency nursing.

The representative body said the combination of pressures was leading to care home closures or providers ending nursing provision.

Martin added: “Care England will strive to continue to work with the Home Office to find a longer term solution, one that involves encouraging nurses living and working in the UK to train and practise.  Nursing in social care is a varied and fulfilling profession and as seen of late, it is also essential.”