Social Care Sector May Be Massively Impacted if Migrant Staff Forced to Leave Following Brexit

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A study entitled 'Brexit and the future of migrants in the social care workforce,' commissioned by Independent Age argues that if migrants lose their right to work in England, the social care workforce could contract by around five percent.

Specifically, the organisation estimate that approximately 78,000 of the 84,000 migrants from the European Economic Area (EEA) do not possess British citizenship and could potentially lose their jobs as a consequence of Brexit negotiations.

The study cites the example of London and the South East for the catastrophic effect Brexit may have on the sector, suggesting that if the so-called 'Hard Brexit' was introduced, 10 percent of the workforce would be lost.

As of yet, the impact of Brexit upon the principle of free movement of labour for workers belonging to the EEA is unclear, with the fate European economic migrants a subject of intense debate.

 The report goes on to suggests that post-Brexit, efforts should be made to address any potential shortfall, including making the social care sector seem more attractive to UK-born workers and guaranteeing the jobs of EEA workers currently in the country.

In response to the study, a spokesperson for the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services said: "Millions of people receive a service from adult social care thanks to the contribution of staff from all over the world.

"The loss of any valuable workforce, in a sector already under pressure from increased demand and staffing challenges, would have a profound effect, and we will seek to take part on any relevant discussions to convey our support for EU workers currently working in our adult social care system."