Dumfries and Galloway Council asked by MSP to assess how care homes will be affected by new immigration rules

Dumfries and Galloway Council has been asked to assess how new UK government immigration rules will affect local care homes and hospitals.

South Scotland SNP MSP Emma Harper is worried excluding frontline carers from a post-Brexit visa scheme could make hiring care staff more difficult.

And she claims if no changes are made efforts to tackle a possible surge of new Covid-19 cases could be undermined.

“Scientists are predicting a second wave of the virus over the winter,” Ms Harper said.

“We know that we will need to recruit staff into the care home and care at home sectors to deal with increased numbers of people requiring care.

“The changes to the immigration system created by Priti Patel means these essential frontline care workers are excluded.

“So are many cleaners, porters and support staff who also help keep our health and care sectors running smoothly.”

Home secretary Priti Patel has said the health and care visa will go live on January 1, 2021.

Workers with a confirmed job offer in a “skilled” NHS role or with other health care providers qualify.

Listed posts include radiographers, social workers, doctors, paramedics, nurses and doctors but not social care workers.

That means employers will be unable to hire staff from the EU or anywhere else outside the UK.

“I am really concerned that this will cause recruitment challenges for many of our 30 care homes and care at home providers across Dumfries and Galloway,” Ms Harper said.

“I have written to Dumfries and Galloway Council to seek clarity on how this points-based approach will negatively affect care across our region.

“I urge the UK Government to meet with the Scottish Government to ensure their proposals can be adapted so that immigration policy works for us in Scotland.”

Ms Patel told the House of Commons in a written statement: “At a time where an increased number of people across the UK are looking for work, the new points-based system will encourage employers to invest in the domestic UK workforce, rather than simply relying on labour from abroad.

“But we are also making necessary changes, so it is simpler for employers to attract the best and brightest from around the world to come to the UK to complement the skills we already have.”

Other ineligible roles under the new system include pharmacy workers, ambulance drivers, bank cashiers, retail assistants and cleaners.