Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the Home Office's document entitled Statement of changes in immigration rules, published on 1 July 2025, what steps her Department is taking to help ensure that vacancies in social care settings can be filled.

Although overseas recruitment for adult social care ended as of 22 July 2025, for a transition period until 2028, in-country switching for those already in the country and working legally for their employers will be permitted. This means, for example, that care providers will continue to be able to recruit those who want to switch from student or graduate visas, who we know have provided a vital role in workforce capacity in recent years. This approach will be kept under review.

International workers who are already sponsored to work legally in the sector by the end of the transition period will be able to continue to extend their stay, change sponsors and when qualified, apply to settle. These arrangements include those who need to switch employers following a sponsor licence revocation. The Department is providing up to £12.5 million this financial year to 15 regional partnerships to help support workers affected by licence revocation into alternative, ethical employment.

More broadly, we recognise the scale of reform needed to make adult social care attractive as a career and are determined to ensure those who work in care are respected as professionals. That is why we are introducing new Fair Pay Agreements for adult social care workers, with legislation currently going through Parliament, implementing the first universal career structure for adult social care. We are also providing £12 million this year for staff to complete training and qualifications. These changes will help attract staff to the sector, providing proper recognition and opportunities for them to build their careers.