MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife Claire Baker has called on the Scottish Government to take action to improve pay and conditions for social care workers, and to develop a migration strategy which works to support the sector.

Highlighting the key role that care workers have played throughout the coronavirus pandemic, she also urged the UK Government to consider the needs of the sector in its approach to immigration following Brexit.

Speaking in the debate in the Scottish Parliament on Migration and Care Workers, Claire Baker, said: “We need to move away from seeing social care as providing low skilled employment, recognise the real skills of those working in the sector and make sure that their pay and conditions reflect those skills.

“Raising the status of working in the care sector, providing opportunities for learning and introducing a salary that reflects care workers’ value would also support those already in the sector and help to increase recruitment and improve retention.

“In developing a national care service, improving the poor pay and conditions for workers in the care sector must be a priority.”

Following the debate Ms Baker added: “As freedom of movement ends, the UK Government has to develop an approach to immigration that recognises the range of skills that support our economy, including the vital role of care workers.

“The UK Government’s current proposals will prevent many health and care workers from entering the UK and will have a huge impact on the social care sector in Scotland. Social care workers must be included on the shortage occupation list to prevent a crisis in our social care workforce.

“The Scottish Government should develop a population strategy which maximises its available powers to attract and retain migrants but it also needs to improve recruitment and retention domestically. We need to see an expansion of the professionalised workforce in the care sector and better opportunities for those already in the sector to develop and progress.”