Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans he has to tackle potential labour shortages as a result of the Government's proposed immigration controls.

We are continually monitoring and analysing the impact on both cost and numbers of staff in the National Health Service and social care sector as a result of multiple changes including the future immigration system.

The changes to the immigration system and the ending of freedom of movement will mean that social care employers will need to redouble efforts to promote jobs in social care to workers in the United Kingdom.

For the NHS, the final NHS People Plan will be published by the National Health Service in early 2020 and will set out a clear framework for collective action on workforce priorities, with a focus on growing and sustaining a well-skilled workforce across the whole NHS.

Alongside these plans continued effective oversea recruitment will be facilitated through an NHS Visa which will incorporate fast-track entry, dedicated support and reduced fees, to encourage increasing numbers of skilled overseas professionals to come and work in the NHS.