Ben MacPherson MSP visited Camphill Tiphereth to hear more about what impact Brexit will have
Social care workers have expressed their fears about Brexit to a Scottish Government minister.
Ben MacPherson MSP, Minister for Europe, Migration and International Development, visited Camphill Tiphereth today (Tuesday 5 November).
On the visit, he heard first-hand the co-workers’ and foundation students’ concerns about the potential impact of Brexit upon Camphill Tiphereth, and upon the other Camphill communities in Scotland.
Sandy Walton, Tiphereth’s quality manager, said: “In living and working together, everyone in Tiphereth can establish a sense of belonging and feel part of our community. Our European volunteers and staff are integral to our identity, and to the quality of life we provide for the members who use our services. The minister was able to experience this first-hand, and to hear the concerns of our European volunteers about the potential impact of Brexit.”
Macpherson said: “Citizens from elsewhere in the EU significantly enrich our society and make a huge contribution to Scotland’s economy and the provision of public services. They are our friends, neighbours and colleagues and we really want them to stay - that’s why the Scottish Government launched our Stay in Scotland campaign earlier this year, to support EU citizens in Scotland at this uncertain time.
“Scotland requires an immigration system that better meets Scotland’s needs, recognises individual circumstances, and provides a welcoming environment – and that’s why the Scottish Government will keep working with organisations like Camphill Scotland to push the UK Government to change their current ‘hostile environment’ policies and revise their regressive post-Brexit immigration policy proposals.”
Alongside the ALLIANCE and the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO), Camphill has been working to call for greater scrutiny of the effect Brexit will have on the sector.
The Assess and Address campaign was created in response to concerns raised by those in the third sector over the implications that Brexit will have for health and social care.
Organisations fear that potential changes in rules, as a result of Brexit, related to the EU workforce, medicines research and funding could affect the provision of support and services to disabled people, people living with long term conditions, children and young people and unpaid carers.
Working with Brendan O’Hara MP, the organisations have created The European Union Withdrawal (Evaluation of Effects on Health and Social Care Sectors) Bill, which would require the UK Government to make arrangements for an independent evaluation of the impact of Brexit upon the health and social care sectors across the UK, and for a copy of the independent evaluation report to be submitted to the UK Parliament.
Dr Neil Henery, director of Camphill Scotland, said: “I am very glad that the minister recognises the superb contribution made by European and other international volunteers to the quality of life experienced in Tiphereth and in other Camphill communities in Scotland. Together, Camphill provides care, education and support to over 600 people with learning disabilities and other support needs in Scotland. We look forward to continuing our work with the Minister to nurture and protect our European links over this uncertain period”.
