Latest news with #Padgham
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Immigration plans a 'devastating blow'
A care home owner has said the government's proposed changes to immigration rules were a "devastating blow" for the sector. The Prime Minister's proposals to cut immigration include scrapping a visa scheme, set up by Boris Johnson's Conservative government, that allowed firms to hire health and social care workers from overseas. Mike Padgham, managing director at Saint Cecilia's Care Group in Scarborough, said by 2040 the sector would need 500,000 more workers and asked where they would be coming from. Sir Keir Starmer said the plans, which tackle legal migration to the UK, would ensure a "selective" and "fair" system, where "we decide who comes to this country". "It is another devastating blow that this government has put upon us," Mr Padgham said. As part of the new system, firms will be required to hire British nationals or extend the visas of overseas workers already in the country. Home Office figures estimate this change will cut the number of workers coming to the UK by between 7,000 and 8,000 a year. Mr Padgham has previously said without overseas staff his firm could not continue and he does not believe the change in rules will help recruit British nationals. "The key thing is we want to recruit people from England, we are doing everything we can to recruit local people," he said. "But sadly the pay is not great, we want people to come in but they don't want the work and we want people in social care who want to work in it, not forced to work in it." Dan Archer, who runs the Sheffield home care company Visiting Angels, said he had taken a different route, though he said he understood the issues facing many providers. "There's been a dependency for the last few years on overseas workers," he said. "I took the decision that if we started from a position of paying better, using proper contracts, then we would find it easier to find UK workers." He said the firm now had 1,600 staff. "The solution works," he said, but added that the challenge was how it was funded. PM promises migration drop as he unveils plans for 'tightened' visa rules Labour's immigration plans at a glance Cimma Menone is from Nigeria and has been sponsored as a care worker for the past three years in Scarborough. She said the announcement from the government made her feel unwelcome. "When you feel unsafe, when you begin to feel not supported by the government, when you are here to contribute to the healthcare sector, then I don't think it's a welcoming policy," she said. The proposed changes come after the government tightened the rules restricting the ability of workers to bring their loved ones to the UK. The time immigrants will have to live in the UK before they can apply for the right to stay indefinitely will be doubled - to 10 years - under the proposals. Isabel Santos, deputy manager at St Cecilia's, said these changes meant homes would become dependent on agency staff, which she said was bad because it impacted on "continuity of care" for residents. "Overseas staff want to learn and progress their careers," she said. "With these rules maybe people will go to other countries where they feel more supported." Jordan Stapleton, from the union Unison, said the entire care system was "in trouble" as providers were dependent on contracts with councils that had been dealing with years of cuts. "If care providers can't get the guaranteed level of funding from the council then they can't pass on that wage and security to the worker," he said. The government said its plans for fair pay in social care would boost recruitment in the sector. The Prime Minister said the government immigration proposals would create "a system that is controlled, selective and fair and a clean break from the past" that would "ensure settlement in this country is a privilege that must be earned, not a right". Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North. PM promises migration drop as he unveils plans for 'tightened' visa rules The carers crossing the globe to fill UK shortage Labour's immigration plans at a glance
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Immigration plans a 'devastating blow'
A care home owner has said the government's proposed changes to immigration rules were a "devastating blow" for the sector. The Prime Minister's proposals to cut immigration include scrapping a visa scheme, set up by Boris Johnson's Conservative government, that allowed firms to hire health and social care workers from overseas. Mike Padgham, managing director at Saint Cecilia's Care Group in Scarborough, said by 2040 the sector would need 500,000 more workers and asked where they would be coming from. Sir Keir Starmer said the plans, which tackle legal migration to the UK, would ensure a "selective" and "fair" system, where "we decide who comes to this country". "It is another devastating blow that this government has put upon us," Mr Padgham said. As part of the new system, firms will be required to hire British nationals or extend the visas of overseas workers already in the country. Home Office figures estimate this change will cut the number of workers coming to the UK by between 7,000 and 8,000 a year. Mr Padgham has previously said without overseas staff his firm could not continue and he does not believe the change in rules will help recruit British nationals. "The key thing is we want to recruit people from England, we are doing everything we can to recruit local people," he said. "But sadly the pay is not great, we want people to come in but they don't want the work and we want people in social care who want to work in it, not forced to work in it." Dan Archer, who runs the Sheffield home care company Visiting Angels, said he had taken a different route, though he said he understood the issues facing many providers. "There's been a dependency for the last few years on overseas workers," he said. "I took the decision that if we started from a position of paying better, using proper contracts, then we would find it easier to find UK workers." He said the firm now had 1,600 staff. "The solution works," he said, but added that the challenge was how it was funded. PM promises migration drop as he unveils plans for 'tightened' visa rules Labour's immigration plans at a glance Cimma Menone is from Nigeria and has been sponsored as a care worker for the past three years in Scarborough. She said the announcement from the government made her feel unwelcome. "When you feel unsafe, when you begin to feel not supported by the government, when you are here to contribute to the healthcare sector, then I don't think it's a welcoming policy," she said. The proposed changes come after the government tightened the rules restricting the ability of workers to bring their loved ones to the UK. The time immigrants will have to live in the UK before they can apply for the right to stay indefinitely will be doubled - to 10 years - under the proposals. Isabel Santos, deputy manager at St Cecilia's, said these changes meant homes would become dependent on agency staff, which she said was bad because it impacted on "continuity of care" for residents. "Overseas staff want to learn and progress their careers," she said. "With these rules maybe people will go to other countries where they feel more supported." Jordan Stapleton, from the union Unison, said the entire care system was "in trouble" as providers were dependent on contracts with councils that had been dealing with years of cuts. "If care providers can't get the guaranteed level of funding from the council then they can't pass on that wage and security to the worker," he said. The government said its plans for fair pay in social care would boost recruitment in the sector. The Prime Minister said the government immigration proposals would create "a system that is controlled, selective and fair and a clean break from the past" that would "ensure settlement in this country is a privilege that must be earned, not a right". Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North. PM promises migration drop as he unveils plans for 'tightened' visa rules The carers crossing the globe to fill UK shortage Labour's immigration plans at a glance
Yahoo
18-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Councils lay claim to 7,000 family homes to claw back care bills
Are you having to use your home as security to pay for care? Get in touch money@ Thousands of families are being forced to hand over their estates to councils to pay off care home fees, The Telegraph can reveal. Cash-strapped local authorities across the country are in line to claim back £343m from care home residents' home sales after they die, NHS data shows. It comes after Labour scrapped a planned cap on care costs by the Conservatives as part of their pledge to ensure nobody would have to sell their house to pay for care. Across England last year there were 6,815 outstanding Deferred Payment Agreements (DPAs), which allow homeowners to pay for care by borrowing from the council and using their home as a security. After they pass away, the council will reclaim the debt either from the house sale or from other assets in their estate. Some 3,205 families agreed new DPAs last year, up 35pc from the year before. The loan lets homeowners delay the sale of their house to pay for care. But there are downsides as the cost of care will eat into the family inheritance. Some local authorities also charge interest as part of the agreement, with the rate capped at 4.25pc as of January 1 this year. The total debt tied up in DPAs has soared from £237m since 2020, a rise of more than 40pc. Essex County Council was pursuing the largest amount of debt of any local authority at almost £16m, followed by Lancashire County Council which is set to reclaim nearly £14m from care home residents. In 2023-24, councils successfully clawed back £90m from 2,295 families – an average debt of almost £40,000. Mike Padgham, of care provider Saint Cecilia's Care Group, said: 'Councils are cash-strapped and doing everything they can to avoid paying for care. So they are trying to encourage people to go to them and use a deferred payment agreement rather than go to a private provider.' However, these agreements are increasingly causing disputes between councils and families. In a recent case, Essex County Council was ordered to pay back over £11,000 in care fees to the family of an elderly man with dementia after the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman found it had failed to carry out a financial assessment after his funds decreased. This resulted in the care home resident overpaying at a higher self-funding rate for longer. Mr Padgham said the risk of disputes would 'only increase' as more families find themselves paying for care. He said: 'We're still in the situation where people are selling their homes to pay for catastrophic care costs.' Jane Townson, of the membership body the Homecare Association, said: 'DPAs can provide vital financial flexibility for those entering residential care. Families frequently report delays, inconsistent eligibility criteria, and a lack of transparency about costs and repayment terms. These challenges can create unnecessary stress for people at a difficult time in their lives. 'It is crucial that councils administer DPAs fairly, promptly, and with full regard for the needs of individuals requiring care.' In England, someone in need of care will not be eligible for state funding if they have more than £23,250 in capital. Arranging a DPA with the local council is one way of covering the fees. The Government has launched an independent commission into reforming adult care amid soaring costs. However, a final report is not due until 2028. Campaigners have criticised successive governments for failing to adequately fund the crumbling sector. Some have warned that care providers are at risk of collapse due to the Government's National Insurance raid piling on extra staff costs. A spokesman for the Local Government Association said DPAs helped families manage costs without needing to sell their homes immediately and that councils were committed to 'offering this option sensitively and in discussion with individuals and their families'. They continued: 'While councils are keen to support people, they also have a responsibility to ensure public funds are managed effectively and that costs can be recouped and DPAs are a valuable tool in balancing these needs.' Essex County Council was contacted for comment. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Telegraph
18-02-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
Councils lay claim to 7,000 family homes to claw back care bills
Thousands of families are being forced to hand over their estates to councils to pay off care home fees, The Telegraph can reveal. Cash-strapped local authorities across the country are in line to claim back £343m from care home residents' home sales after they die, NHS data shows. It comes after Labour scrapped a planned cap on care costs by the Conservatives as part of their pledge to ensure nobody would have to sell their house to pay for care. Across England last year there were 6,815 outstanding Deferred Payment Agreements (DPAs), which allow homeowners to pay for care by borrowing from the council and using their home as a security. After they pass away, the council will reclaim the debt either from the house sale or from other assets in their estate. Some 3,205 families agreed new DPAs last year, up 35pc from the year before. The loan lets homeowners delay the sale of their house to pay for care. But there are downsides as the cost of care will eat into the family inheritance. Some local authorities also charge interest as part of the agreement, with the rate capped at 4.25pc as of January 1 this year. The total debt tied up in DPAs has soared from £237m since 2020, a rise of more than 40pc. Essex County Council was pursuing the largest amount of debt of any local authority at almost £16m, followed by Lancashire County Council which is set to reclaim nearly £14m from care home residents. In 2023-24, councils successfully clawed back £90m from 2,295 families – an average debt of almost £40,000. Mike Padgham, of care provider Saint Cecilia's Care Group, said: 'Councils are cash-strapped and doing everything they can to avoid paying for care. So they are trying to encourage people to go to them and use a deferred payment agreement rather than go to a private provider.' However, these agreements are increasingly causing disputes between councils and families. In a recent case, Essex County Council was ordered to pay back over £11,000 in care fees to the family of an elderly man with dementia after the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman found it had failed to carry out a financial assessment after his funds decreased. This resulted in the care home resident overpaying at a higher self-funding rate for longer. Mr Padgham said the risk of disputes would 'only increase' as more families find themselves paying for care. He said: 'We're still in the situation where people are selling their homes to pay for catastrophic care costs.' Jane Townson, of the membership body the Homecare Association, said: 'DPAs can provide vital financial flexibility for those entering residential care. Families frequently report delays, inconsistent eligibility criteria, and a lack of transparency about costs and repayment terms. These challenges can create unnecessary stress for people at a difficult time in their lives. 'It is crucial that councils administer DPAs fairly, promptly, and with full regard for the needs of individuals requiring care.' In England, someone in need of care will not be eligible for state funding if they have more than £23,250 in capital. Arranging a DPA with the local council is one way of covering the fees. The Government has launched an independent commission into reforming adult care amid soaring costs. However, a final report is not due until 2028. Campaigners have criticised successive governments for failing to adequately fund the crumbling sector. National Insurance raid piling on extra staff costs.
