Thousands Rally in Liverpool as Care Providers Demand Urgent Sector Reform
Care home operators and social care providers marched through Liverpool city centre on 29 September, calling on government to address what they describe as a funding crisis threatening the future of community care services.
The demonstration, organised by campaign group Providers Unite, drew providers, staff, residents and supporters from all over the UK.
The procession began at Liverpool Cathedral at 11:30am and concluded outside of the Arena on Liverpool’s famed Albert Dock where the conference is taking place.
Providers voiced concerns about cumulative financial pressures facing the sector, particularly recent legislative developments including the Employment Rights Bill and proposals for a Social Care Fair Pay Agreement. These follow earlier cost increases from changes to National Insurance contributions and National Minimum Wage announced in the previous government’s budget.
According to organisers, the sector requires an additional £8.7 billion by 2028/29 to achieve pay parity with NHS staff. The campaign argues that without sustainable funding increases, new employment legislation will impose wage costs that many providers and service users cannot absorb.
The march formed part of the wider #CareCannotWait campaign, which unites care homes, supported living providers, children’s services, mental health organisations and other community care sectors. This follows an earlier Day of Action held in February.
Campaign organisers estimate the legislation could affect over 10 million people when accounting for care recipients, unpaid family carers, and sector employees.
The campaign is calling for three key commitments from government:
Recognition of social care’s essential role, noting that four in five people will require care services during their lifetime and arguing the sector deserves greater acknowledgement from policymakers.
A fully funded Fair Pay Agreement for social care workers, highlighting that the sector employs 5.8% of the UK workforce – a larger proportion than the NHS.
Sustainable investment in community care services, warning that without urgent funding commitments, millions could lose access to vital support as providers struggle with rising operational costs.
The demonstration brought together representatives from residential care homes, domiciliary care agencies, specialist children’s services, mental health providers, day centres and advocacy organisations.
Speaking to Carer Editor Peter Adams who attended the march, Nadra Ahmed CBE a executive co-chair of the National Care Association said: What a great, great morning, and to think that on a Monday Morning so many care providers were able to come away, I know many couldn’t, but with the atmosphere, the messaging the passion with which people have marched today and got so much acknowledgement from the people driving by shows just how valued social care is, and our message really is just acknowledge social care and the amazing contribution we make, and for the government to stop avoiding the question on how we are going to stabilize our sector to make sure that it is available for everybody who needs it”
Mike Padgham chair of the Independent Care Group also shared his views, “Fantastic support we have had today from the people of Liverpool, and also to see so many care providers from across the UK, we have to show the government that we have had enough delays over three decades, if the government wants to be bold it must sort social care out now, you cannot fix the NHS without fixing social care”.
Asked what would be the number one priority Mike added: “We have got to get funding in so we can pay social care staff on the front line as much as they get in the NHS, thats the key thing from my perspective, staff pay”!
