Care England Reacts to Labour’s Vision: Addressing the Social Care Crisis

Care England responds to Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Wes Streeting’s speech at the 2024 Labour Conference, in which he emphasised the need to address the social care crisis and highlighted the Fair Pay Agreement.

Reacting to the comments, Professor Martin Green OBE, Chief Executive of Care England, says:
“It is encouraging to see the government recognise the urgent need to address the challenges in social care. However, it is crucial to understand that social care cannot merely be viewed as a mechanism for alleviating pressure on the NHS; it deserves dedicated attention and investment in its own right.

The comments made by the Secretary of State will go a long way towards creating a transformed social care sector. With confirmation that he and the Deputy Prime Minister will deliver a new deal for care professionals in the form of the Fair Pay Agreement to improve pay and conditions, we are hopeful that the government recognises that such ambitions should be more than lip service.

To truly effect change, the Fair Pay Agreement must be accompanied by a detailed and realistic funding plan. Without it, there is a significant risk that our ambitions for fairer pay and better conditions could fall short, perpetuating the very issues we seek to resolve.”

This speech follows Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s poignant anecdote about his sister’s role as a carer, he used to highlight the invaluable contributions of the care workforce.

Martin Green Continued:

“The Prime Minister’s heartfelt acknowledgment of his sister’s work as a care worker during the pandemic resonates deeply with all of us in the sector. It’s a powerful reminder of the essential role that care workers play in our society – often underappreciated, yet undeniably vital.

We wholeheartedly agree that those who provide care should command the same respect as leaders in any field. The dedication and sacrifice of our care workforce must be met with recognition, not only in words but through tangible support and fair, government funded, pay.

As we move forward, we are excited to collaborate with the government and partners to build a resilient social care system that embodies our shared values of dignity and respect, ensuring the sector not only meets current challenges but thrives in the long term.”