Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether the Home Office was consulted by the Scottish Government before the announcement of its proposed fund to support international social care workers who are without sponsored employment elsewhere in the UK to relocate to work in Scotland.

The proposal to support international social workers who are without sponsored employment elsewhere in the UK to relocate to Scotland appears to be compatible with the existing immigration system and we encourage efforts to support displaced care workers find new employment.

The Home office and UK Visa and Immigration have been working with the Scottish Government to provide practical support for international social care workers who are without sponsored employment.

Health and social care policy is devolved and therefore the provision of social care, funding and workforce planning in Scotland is the responsibility of the Scottish Government.