Displaced care worker scheme reopens  

A displaced worker scheme has reopened to new applications in Scotland to help grow the number of care employees.

The initiative helps social care providers to recruit international workers who are already in the UK but are without sponsored employment. The scheme, announced by the Scottish government in October, was a response to the UK government’s decision to close the health and care visa route to new international social care worker applications in July 2025, as part of its immigration reforms.

Applications in December and January led to 37 employers recruiting 120 workers. The scheme reopened last week, with the closing date for applications on 21 August.

First Minister John Swinney said: ‘UK government decisions on immigration have inflicted pain on our social care sector at a time when demand for care is increasing and its choices on tax have heaped an £84m bill on the sector by increasing employers’ National Insurance contributions.

‘The Prime Minister has spoken about reforming social care services, but meaningful reform requires a workforce to deliver it. I urge him to reconsider and to reverse the harm done by the UK government over the past two years.’