Adult Social Care services in Richmond will be greatly impacted by the ongoing uncertainty around Brexit, according to the borough council. 

A report at a cabinet meeting last night suggested there will be lasting negative impacting on the borough, when the UK leaves the European Union. Approximately 21.5 per cent of the social care work force are made up of EU nationals. 

This means that Richmond has the highest proportion of EU nationals working in the care force of any local authority.

Cllr Piers Allen said: "We are highly concerned about the impact of Brexit on the sector, that is already straining under the weight of long-term underfunding from central government. 

"We are already working with care providers to ensure we remain up-to-date on the employment market in the sector and are working with commissioned service providers to ensure mitigations are in place to limit the impact leaving the EU will have on service provision in the borough.
 
“We must be realistic though that any preparations will only limit the impact and no matter how prepared we are the impact of Brexit will still be felt.”

The report also covers the impact on the wider EU citizen residents in the borough, who make up approximately 7 per cent of the borough's population, adult social services, community safety, business community, and funding.

The Brexit process is already impacting confidence in the borough’s business community, with a March 2018 survey showing 31 per cent of the businesses expected their business performance will get worse because of Brexit, and 53 per cent expect the general business environment to worsen due to Brexit.

Cllr Geoff Acton, Cabinet Member for Business, Economy and Employment said: “The ongoing uncertainty around Brexit, and the lack of clarity provided by the Government is already having an adverse effect on confidence levels amongst our business community. A no deal Brexit will lead to a critical lack of skilled, experienced and knowledgeable labour available to business owners as European workers leave the UK, and ultimately restrict their ability to grow and thrive.”
 
Cllr Gareth Roberts, Leader of Richmond Council said: “With the details of the Government’s draft agreement now emerging, we can see written down in black and white what we expected – a deal which leaves the people of Richmond upon Thames and across the UK much worse off. 

“We are calling on Theresa May and her Government to urgently provide clarity on its anticipated outcomes of Brexit, and how it intends local authorities to act, so that the impact can be properly assessed, and mitigating steps taken.

“With so much to be concerned about in this deal we reaffirm our demand that the people of Richmond upon Thames and across the United Kingdom be given a final vote on an agreement, which will impact on so much of their lives, including of course the option of voting to remain within the EU.”