Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Points-based Immigration System: Labour Shortages

Monday 20 June 2022 · 4 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Points-based immigration system assessment has been made regarding its impact on labour shortages, particularly in care worker roles.
  • Asylum seekers whose claims have been outstanding for over a year can work in shortage occupations, including care workers.
  • Local authority areas in Scotland largely refused to participate in the dispersal accommodation system until recently.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Wendy Chamberlain Lib Dem North East Fife
Immigration Care & Healthcare Workers
Context

Concerns over labour shortages affecting multiple sectors, particularly care workers. A local social care business in St Andrews had to shut down due to staffing issues.

Question

What assessment has been made of the potential impact of the points-based immigration system on labour shortages? There is a severe shortage of care workers around the UK. In St Andrews, a social care business had to shut down recently because of staffing issues. Will asylum seekers be allowed to work while their claims are being processed?

Answer from Kevin Foster

Those whose asylum claim has been outstanding for more than a year can take jobs on the shortage occupations list, which includes care workers since February. However, until recently, 31 out of 32 local authority areas in Scotland refused to be part of the dispersal accommodation system.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide a direct commitment to consider allowing asylum seekers to work while their claims are being processed for all shortages.

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Q2 Wendy Chamberlain Lib Dem North East Fife
Immigration Care & Healthcare Workers
Context

Two young Russian charity volunteers are stranded in the constituency through no fault of their own. They have an opportunity to work as care workers but cannot do so currently.

Question

If I give the Minister the details, will he kindly take a personal interest in the unusual plight of two young Russian charity volunteers who are now stranded in my constituency? They are not supporters of President Putin and have the opportunity to work as care workers. Will the Government look sympathetically on their situation?

Answer from Kevin Foster

I cannot give comments or pledges from the Dispatch Box, but I am very happy to meet with the right hon. Member and highlight that Russia is not Putin.

Not addressed: Did not address taking a personal interest in the situation of the Russian volunteers.

How: Changed Subject

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Q3 Julian Lewis Con New Forest East
Immigration Employment
Context

There are labour shortages across multiple sectors including hospitality, healthcare, and transport. The UK has the most persistent post-pandemic drop in employment among G7 countries.

Question

Why will the Minister not act pragmatically and immediately to address labour shortages? There are 1.3 million job vacancies, operations not being carried out in hospitals, restaurants struggling to recruit staff, and a shortage of drivers. Why is there no immediate action on introducing more work visas for sectors with shortages or lifting the ban on asylum seekers working?

Answer from Kevin Foster

The hon. Member might benefit from looking at labour markets across developed countries, including the EU, where shortages in areas like hospitality are not unique to the UK. The calls for resurrecting free movement seem contradictory given the emerging policy of his party.

Not addressed: Did not address introducing more work visas or lifting ban on asylum seekers working.

How: Changed Subject

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Q4 Dan Carden Lab Liverpool Walton
Asylum & Refugees Care & Healthcare Workers
Context

There is a severe shortage of care workers around the UK. A social care business in St Andrews had to shut down recently due to staffing issues.

Question

Will the Secretary of State and Minister consider allowing asylum seekers to work while their claims are being processed to mitigate care worker shortages?

Answer from Kevin Foster

Those whose asylum claim has been outstanding for more than a year can take jobs on the shortage occupations list, which includes care workers since February. However, until recently, 31 out of 32 local authority areas in Scotland refused to be part of the dispersal accommodation system.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide a direct commitment to consider allowing asylum seekers to work while their claims are being processed for all shortages.

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