As a nation we applaud NHS and care workers for their huge contributions during the pandemic.

But yesterday social care workers were left out of pay increases announced by the government. My thoughts below (1/7)

Social care staff have worked in extremely difficult conditions and many have lost their lives caring for others.

Despite the huge value of their work, they are poorly paid. 90% are paid below @LivingWageUK’s Real Living Wage in England. 24% are on zero-hours contracts. (2/7)

And yet social care workers were left out of public sector pay increases announced by the government yesterday.

While social care workers are by and large not public sector employees, this is not an excuse for inaction.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/pay-rises-for-doctors-police-and-more-in-the-public-sector
(3/7)

To fund pay increases for social care workers, more money is needed.

As a first step govt needs to increase funding for local authorities, who are responsible for social care. (4/7)

But this alone is not sufficient. Government also needs to ensure that money goes into workers’ pockets, rather than being spent elsewhere.

This requires creative and bold thinking but is perfectly achievable if the will is there. (5/7)

For example, govt could consider:

mandatory guidance for councils so that pay levels are set in contracts with providers
registration and national payscales for social care
sectoral wage board

Short term, it could look at income-boosting vouchers for workers. (6/7)

And of course, these ideas need to be part of a comprehensive package of social care reform which addresses unmet need, unfairness in the way social care is paid for and provider sustainability. (7/7)

Read more: https://www.health.org.uk/sites/default/files/2020-06/Health-Foundation-submission-to-HSC-social-care-funding-and-workforce-inquiry.pdf