Care homes in affluent areas of England that rely on staff from the European Union are on the brink of crisis.
In Windsor and Maidenhead, Berkshire, 31% of care workers come from the EU, the highest rate in the country. From January 1, new immigration rules will bar recruitment of care assistants from outside the UK because they earn below a £25,600 threshold for skilled workers. The rules will come into effect whether or not Britain leaves the EU with a deal.
The situation is made urgent by high turnover and a rising number of vacancies since the pandemic began.
Westminster, in London, leads the country for unfilled care assistant jobs with a 26% vacancy rate recorded in March, according to Skills For Care, a
