News
Let's make care count
Following the tremendous response to our call to action, the Government responded and accepted the MAC recommendation.
Towards the end of 2021, we asked you to write to your MP to demand their support for the recommendation made by the Migration Advisory Committee that overseas care workers should be added to the Shortage Occupation List and be able to apply for a visa to work in the UK. Following the tremendous response to this call to action, the Government responded (on Christmas Eve!) and accepted the MAC recommendation.
Huge thanks to everyone who helped to make this happen.
But we can’t stop there
We now need to build on this success, and ensure that people who employ carers directly are also able to employ overseas carers. For this to happen, we need ministerial support for a new and distinct immigration route, so that individual SCI people can continue to have the option of directly employing their PAs from abroad.
There are two ways you can help make this happen:
- Invite your MP to attend the next virtual meeting of the ‘All-Party Parliamentary Group on SCI’. This is on Wednesday 9 March 2022 and is due to be attended by Gillian Keegan, Minister for Care and Mental Health. Mark Henderson, barrister and Senior Vice Chair of Trustees at SIA will be discussing the urgent issue of care for sci people with the Minister – get your MP to show their support for sci people by attending the meeting. Click below to download a draft letter template.
- Sign the on-line petition started by SIA member Jonathan Hayes who is a passionate supporter of SIA, and launched this petition to support the objective (which is endorsed by SIA) of disabled people being able to easily recruit live-in carers from overseas.
As always, we really appreciate your help and support as we challenge the Government and engage at the highest level to bring about change and discuss the urgent issues facing SCI people.