Impact of the Ending of Freedom of Movement on the Adult Social Care Sector: Independent Review

Today, the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) published its independent review into the impact of the ending of freedom of movement on the adult social care sector. This report (CP 665) has been laid before both Houses today, and it will also be published on www.gov.uk.

This review came about during the passage of the Immigration and Social Security Co-ordination (EU Withdrawal) Act 2020, when the Government committed to commission and publish an independent report into the impact of ending free movement on the adult social care sector.

In July 2021, the Government commissioned the Migration Advisory Committee—as experts in both the immigration system and wider labour market issues—to undertake this review. The MAC has been working closely with the social care expert advisory group, utilising its insight and experience, to produce this report.

The MAC made an interim recommendation, in its annual report published on 15 December 2021, to add care workers and home carers to the shortage occupation list as well as making them eligible for the health and care visa. On 24 December, the Government announced we were accepting this recommendation.

We laid revised immigration rules on 24 January 2022, and these came into force on 15 February. We are already seeing many providers seeking to take advantage of the new rules, to become sponsors and to bring in much needed additional care workforce capacity.

I would like to thank Professor Brian Bell and the MAC for their continued work. I would also like to thank all those who have been involved in this report for their valuable contributions.

The Government will consider the report and its recommendations carefully before deciding what steps to take next.

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