Parklands Care Homes has warned that UK Government proposals to ban overseas recruitment of care workers would have a devastating impact on social care services in rural Scotland.
Ron Taylor, Managing Director of the Parklands group, said: "The UK Government’s plan to ban overseas care worker recruitment is dangerously short-sighted. Around 10% of our workforce are sponsored from overseas — they are skilled, dedicated professionals who are vital to our care homes and many others across the north.
"We are fully committed to growing our local workforce, but the reality is that, particularly in remote and rural areas, domestic recruitment alone cannot meet the growing demand for care. International staff are an essential part of the solution.
"This policy, coming so soon after the hike in employer National Insurance contributions, is yet another blow to a sector already under strain after years of underfunding by the Scottish Government. It risks pushing an already fragile system to breaking point.
"We urge the UK Government to rethink this ill-conceived proposal before it causes lasting harm to the care sector and those who depend on it. Instead of restricting access to essential staff, we need long-term investment in both domestic and international recruitment — not more barriers."