Scotland's Displaced Workers Scheme signals the type of country
the government is working to create, according to First Minister
.
The £500,000 scheme is helping employers recruit international
workers who are already in the UK and find themselves without
sponsored employment. It also mitigates the loss of international
recruitment caused by changes to the UK immigration system.
Ahead of publication of the draft Scottish Budget 2026-27, the
First Minister announced that the fund is reopening for
applications following positive feedback from providers.
The First Minister met internationally recruited social care
employees during a visit to health and social care charity
Quarriers. He said:
“The UK Government's decision to close the adult social care visa
route to new overseas applications means this vital sector faces
significant recruitment challenges during a time of great need.
“I have heard how our Displaced Workers Scheme is enabling more
people to continue to build lives and livelihoods in a welcoming
and open Scotland. It signals the type of country we are working
to create - one with kindness and fairness at its heart - and
ensures we can continue making a difference in the lives of our
most vulnerable.
“We have already received 138 expressions of interest in the
scheme, with positions expected to be filled over this month and
next. But we want many more employers and workers to benefit, so
we are reopening the fund and I would urge all eligible social
care providers to express an interest in applying.
“This innovative scheme is just one example of how we are
increasing capacity and relieving pressure within our health and
social care system. This kind of delivery is what the people of
Scotland can expect from the government's Budget for 2026-27,
which the Finance Secretary will set out tomorrow. The Scottish
Budget will be firmly focused on my priorities: delivering strong
and sustainable public services, growing the economy and
supporting families.”
Alastair Dickson, Director of People and Wellbeing at Quarriers,
said:
“We were pleased to welcome the First Minister to our service in
Cowdenbeath to meet international care workers and hear directly
about their significant contribution to Quarriers. As an employer
sponsor, this aligns with our priorities of investment,
innovation, and inclusion to strengthen services and support a
stable workforce.
“Quarriers is grateful for support through the Displaced Worker
Scheme. It is a practical, targeted measure that helps employers
like us meet the additional costs of recruiting workers who are
already in the UK but have lost sponsorship through no fault of
their own. This helps protect continuity of care and workforce
capacity.”
Background
The Adult Social Care Displaced
Worker Scheme covers additional costs which employers
face when hiring a displaced worker already in the UK who has
lost an employer's sponsorship. These costs will often prevent an
employer from employing them.
According to statistics published by the Home
Office, the number of Health and Care Worker visas
for those in a Caring Personal Service Occupation being granted
has fallen by 88% since the UK Government's decisions to exclude
dependants from applications in March 2024, and to close the
Social Care Visa Route entirely in July last year.
