THE MP for Taunton and Wellington has called on the Government to ensure immigration policies don't leave nursing homes short of staff.

Jeremy Browne says several nursing homes in Taunton Deane have contacted him to raise concerns about the future employment of non-European Union staff.

Mr Browne says many nurses from the Philippines work in this area and provide essential care for elderly people.

He said: "The managers of several local nursing homes have contacted me to express their alarm about changes to the employment status of their non-EU staff.

"The Government is right to clamp down on any abuses of the immigration system, but they need to make sure that there are no damaging unintended consequences resulting from their decisions.

"With an aging population, there is growing demand for residential nursing care in Somerset. Although being a nurse can be very rewarding, it also involves anti-social hours and considerable expertise. It is hard work and it is not the most lucrative or glamorous career.

"I admire the local people who have decided to work in the residential nursing sector, but there are not enough nurses with the right skills and commitment coming forward.

"We cannot close the nursing homes, so instead the labour shortages are partly being made up by employing very professional and dedicated nurses from the Philippines. If they are forced to return home, that will cause real problems for the residential nursing sector in Taunton Deane."