Starmer’s immigration reforms will worsen the social care crisis in Liverpool

• Liverpool Lib Dems criticise Keir Starmer’s announcement to end the care worker visa
• They warn Labour’s move will result in more care homes being understaffed and unable to meet the city’s social care needs
• “Reform-light solutions aren’t the answer, we urgently need social care reform now,” says the Liverpool Lib Dem Deputy Leader.

Liverpool Liberal Democrats have criticised the announcement from Keir Starmer that the care worker visa is to end.

Cllr Liz Makinson, Deputy Leader of Liverpool Liberal Democrats and shadow cabinet member for Health and Social Care, has slammed Labour’s ‘Reform-light’ immigration announcements, saying that they are going to have a major knock on effect on social care provision in Liverpool. 

They say without first fixing the broken social care system, by making caring a well paid profession, Labour’s immigration reforms are going to fall flat on their face. Having serious consequences for cared for people as well as in the wider UK economy.

Nationally, the Liberal Democrats have warned that if the Government fails to introduce a higher carer’s minimum wage and start delivering on social care reform this year - the Prime Minister's plans for social and immigration will fall apart. 

Liberal Democrat Leader, Sir Ed Davey MP urged the Prime Minister to rip up the current timetable on social reforms, the Casey Commission is expected to take three years and another seven before it’s implemented. This means Labour’s social care reforms will not be completed until 2036.

Deputy Leader of Liverpool Liberal Democrats, Cllr Liz Makinson said: 

“Starmer is completely rudderless - these ‘Reform-light’ immigration changes are not the answer, they are only going to worsen the social care crisis. This lurch to the right for a bump in the opinion polls does nothing to help the current situation. We need a government that gets on with the job of fixing the mess left by the Conservatives, not making their own. 

“In Liverpool, we’re facing a significant shortage of care workers like lots of places across the country. But Starmer is living in a Westminster bubble, deaf to problems faced by so many Britons. What the government is going to do will put vulnerable and older residents who are cared for at risk.

“Ending the care worker visa is going to make things worse - we need a joined up approach that meets the demands of our social sector, makes it a worthwhile career that pays well with a new higher minimum wage for carers. We need to restore pride and dignity to caring as a profession. The Lib Dem in Liverpool, as well as in Parliament, are fighting to fix our broken care system.”