Boosting Care Worker Wages “Must Be Priority” Says Care England

Care workers in England would be entitled to pay of at least £12 an hour as part of a Labour manifesto pledge to improve recruitment in social care and ease the burden on the NHS, according to a report in yesterdays (June 11) iNEWS REPORT

Sir Keir Starmer’s manifesto, to be revealed tomorrow (Thursday June 13), will promise that 1.5m care workers their wages will be protected by a Fair Pay Agreement to bring them closer into line with nurses and other NHS staff.

Professor Martin Green OBE, Chief Executive of Care England says:
“Boosting the pay of the adult social care workforce must be a priority for the next Government. Without it, the sector cannot make meaningful progress to address staffing challenges. It is encouraging that Labour has recognised this, and now they must follow through by committing to making this sector-wide pay rise fully-funded by central Government.”

“The ability of care providers to boost pay has been limited in recent years by chronic underfunding by local authorities, and without the resources to back this pay rise, the financial viability of the sector will be at risk.”

“Care England would encourage all parties to be bold in their thinking when it comes to remuneration for care workers. A fully-funded pay rise to £15, as we have previously called for, would have a transformational impact our sector. It would mean improved recruitment and retention prospects, driving more people into work and improving national and local economies.”