I have a very hard-working care worker living with me as a tenant, and I see firsthand how her working conditions are unfairly restrictive. She is dedicated to her job, providing essential care to those in need, yet she, like many others in her profession, is burdened by the Immigration Skills Charge levied on her employer. This fee, amounting to £1000, is a significant barrier not only to her but to all skilled care workers seeking fair employment opportunities within the UK.

The Immigration Skills Charge was originally implemented to encourage businesses to train local talent, but in the case of care work, where there is a dire shortage of skilled workers, this charge is counterproductive. The care sector is already struggling with understaffing and overworked employees, impacting the quality of care provided to vulnerable individuals. By scrapping this charge, we can alleviate some of the financial pressures on employers, allowing them to attract and retain the skilled care workers we so desperately need.

Moreover, removing this fee would provide care workers with the same freedom to move jobs as others in the UK, promoting fair work conditions and career advancement opportunities. Care workers deserve the right to choose their employment and to be employed where they are most needed, without the hefty costs that restrict their movement and professional growth.

Statistics from the Health Foundation highlight the critical shortage in the social care sector, with an estimated need for hundreds of thousands of additional care workers in the coming years to keep up with the aging population. Retaining skilled care workers is essential to maintaining a robust and effective care system that ensures all individuals receive the high-quality care they deserve.

We urge the UK government to recognize the invaluable contributions of care workers and to take immediate action by abolishing the Immigration Skills Charge for this sector. Doing so will not only benefit care workers but also strengthen the care industry as a whole, improving care for all who depend on it. Please sign this petition to support care workers and ensure fair employment practices in the UK.