Care Workers Left Hanging by UK Immigration Reforms
Care workers face a test of time, As UK staff shortages leave services in decline.
Care providers cry out in dismay,
As government plans take away the way,
To recruit from abroad, a lifeline so fine,
Leaving services to struggle and decline.
As government plans take away the way,
To recruit from abroad, a lifeline so fine,
Leaving services to struggle and decline.
With 131,000 vacancies, a daunting sight,
Care companies face a desperate plight,
Prof Martin Green says it's cruel and unkind,
To take away a solution, without a plan to find.
Care companies face a desperate plight,
Prof Martin Green says it's cruel and unkind,
To take away a solution, without a plan to find.
Sir Keir's reforms aim to reduce immigration's flow,
But care providers warn of a sector in woe,
No funding, no alternative, just a promise so vague,
Leaves care companies to face a desperate stage.
But care providers warn of a sector in woe,
No funding, no alternative, just a promise so vague,
Leaves care companies to face a desperate stage.
A fair pay agreement's a long way off, they say,
And no plan to deliver care workers, day by day,
Dr Jane Townson warns of a crisis so real,
As social care struggles, with staff shortages to feel.
And no plan to deliver care workers, day by day,
Dr Jane Townson warns of a crisis so real,
As social care struggles, with staff shortages to feel.
1.7 million people work in social care, it's true,
But many leave for better pay, and a life anew,
Minimum wage, little recognition, and stress so high,
Makes care work a choice, that many choose to deny.
But many leave for better pay, and a life anew,
Minimum wage, little recognition, and stress so high,
Makes care work a choice, that many choose to deny.
Post-Covid, staff left, feeling burnt out and worn,
While others stayed, but felt they couldn't afford to mourn,
The cost of living rose, and care work's the test,
Between 2021 and 2022, vacancies reached a record best.
While others stayed, but felt they couldn't afford to mourn,
The cost of living rose, and care work's the test,
Between 2021 and 2022, vacancies reached a record best.
A shortage occupation, care work became so fine,
Easier to recruit, from abroad, a solution divine,
80,000 arrived in 2022/23, and 105,000 in 23/24,
A rapid rise, that saved the sector, from a collapse so cruel.
Easier to recruit, from abroad, a solution divine,
80,000 arrived in 2022/23, and 105,000 in 23/24,
A rapid rise, that saved the sector, from a collapse so cruel.
But abuse was rife, and exploitation so sly,
Middlemen profited, as staff paid thousands to try,
Their luck, and get a visa, to work in care,
But now, the rules have changed, and the numbers so rare.
Middlemen profited, as staff paid thousands to try,
Their luck, and get a visa, to work in care,
But now, the rules have changed, and the numbers so rare.
In 2024, 9,500 visas were granted, a significant fall,
Care companies struggle, as the sector stands after all,
A long way to go, to encourage UK staff to stay,
And fill the vacancies, in a sector in disarray.
Care companies struggle, as the sector stands after all,
A long way to go, to encourage UK staff to stay,
And fill the vacancies, in a sector in disarray.