Care Sector Salaries 2025-01-07

2025-01-07

TAGS
Response quality

Questions & Answers

Q1 Partial Answer
Martin Rhodes Lab
Glasgow North
Context
The question arises from discussions about the impact of salary issues on social care workers and the government's response to these concerns.
What discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on staff salaries in the care sector. Does the Secretary of State agree that the SNP’s National Care Service (Scotland) Bill was a missed opportunity to improve pay and conditions for social care workers, particularly when compared with Labour’s Employment Rights Bill?
This Government recognise the crisis in social care that we inherited, which is why over the past six months we have taken steps through the Budget to increase investment in social care, deliver the biggest expansion of the carer’s allowance since the 1970s and invest in the disabled facilities grant. That is why I am proud that within our first 100 days, the care worker-turned-Deputy Prime Minister included fair pay agreements in her landmark Employment Rights Bill, so we can give our care staff not just the pay they deserve, but the professional status, recognising the hard work they do as care professionals. If the SNP does not utilise this legislation to improve pay and conditions for social care workers, it is a missed opportunity.
Assessment & feedback
The Secretary of State did not directly address whether he agrees that the SNP's bill was a missed opportunity but instead focused on Labour's Employment Rights Bill.
Referenced Other Legislation Did Not Directly Answer
Response accuracy
Q2 Partial Answer
Martin Vickers Con
Brigg and Immingham
Context
The question arises from discussions about salary increases for NHS staff not extending to social care workers, leading to dissatisfaction among those employed by Care Plus Group.
What is the Secretary of State able to pass on to them? In north-east Lincolnshire, a social enterprise employs 800 staff providing health and social care. I have been approached by many staff who are unhappy that they have not benefited from the increases that NHS staff have gained. They have the support of the Royal College of Nursing and are looking for the Government to provide Care Plus Group with the resources to ensure that they are recompensed to the same level.
I am grateful to the hon. Member for that question. With our fair pay agreements, we will be bringing together government, public and private sector employers and staff trade unions to negotiate the future for fair pay agreements that will benefit care workers across the system and give them the professional status and career progression they deserve. The Chancellor, through the Budget, also took steps to ensure that we could invest in our social care services.
Assessment & feedback
The Secretary of State did not provide a direct response to what he can pass on to specific staff members but instead outlined broader initiatives for fair pay agreements and investment in social care services.
Referenced Other Legislation Did Not Directly Answer
Response accuracy