Rachel Harrison, GMB’s National Officer for Care, responding to the news that immigration rules will be relaxed for care workers, said:

“We have been warning for years about the recruitment black hole for care workers.

“For too long care workers have faced rock bottom pay, no recognition of their skills, and few opportunities for progression. It isn’t a surprise that care homes are struggling to fill vacancies when pay is barely above minimum wage.

“Carers deserve £15 per hour as proper recognition for their essential work.

“The demand on social care services is increasing every day, workloads are already unmanageable, and people are voting with their feet. The Government needs to wake up.”