Robert Jenrick has suggested that instead of granting visas to overseas workers to fill the gaping hole in our care system, British parents should be encouraged to have more children to provide the workforce to look after our growing population of elderly people (Report, 2 October). This has to be one of the most stupid things I’ve heard coming out of the mouth of a Tory minister.
For a start, with a world population of 8 billion and rising, that already pushes available resources to the limit, it’s not a good plan to encourage a faster increase. And even if it were to happen, it’s going to be at least 20 years before it makes a difference to the workforce, which is no good for those who are elderly now.
