Social care will have access to an extra £1bn next year but councils are unlikely to be funded to increase social worker pay, according to the government’s spending review, set out today by Chancellor Rishi Sunak.

Matthew Bolton, Executive Director, Citizens UK reacted to the news:

“The £1 billion extra made available for social care in the spending review is a small and positive step. But nowhere near enough to fix the long-term funding crisis or fund a pay rise for 600,000 low waged care workers.

“The Chancellor missed an opportunity to reward the vital work of social care staff as they face down the pandemic. This leaves the very people keeping the most vulnerable people safe and well, at risk of debt, stress, and hardship.

“However, care providers shouldn't wait for the Government to act. Dozens of care providers joined the Living Wage Foundation this year, uplifting staff onto the real Living Wage and giving employees a much needed pay boost despite the pandemic and funding squeeze. It is the right recognition for the hard work and sacrifice of care workers.”

ENDS

Our Living Wage for key workers campaign:

Citizens UK is spearheading a campaign for a real Living Wage for key workers, including a £1.4bn settlement to fund a pay boost for care workers paid below the real Living Wage. Across England, 604,168 of 832,393 care worker roles (73%) were paid less than the independently calculated rate, set by the Living Wage Foundation.

A petition led by a care worker, Tabitha asking health secretary Matt Hancock to act on low pay in the care sector has received over 12,000 signatures. Tabitha launched the petition with Citizens UK after falling ill with Covid-19 and having to seek food aid from charities, as she had no savings to fall back on.

Take action to support care workers with us, sign the petition: www.livingwage4keyworkers.org.uk

Contact andy.may@citizensuk.org / 07917 824009