House of Commons · Westminster Hall
16 March 2023 · 3 other contributors · 6,999 words
Opened by Damien Moore Con Southport
Responding minister: Helen Whately
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
Damien Moore raised concerns about car parking: care workers — [sir robert syms in the chair] in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key points
Key requests to Government
I call on the Government to introduce a nationwide standardised green badge system for social care workers on duty and making care visits. This should be nationally recognised with eligibility set at a national level, available for all care workers who travel to provide care in clients' homes.
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.
Opened the debate
Care workers face an 11% vacancy rate, up from 7%, representing 165,000 and 110,000 vacancies respectively. The turnover rate of directly employed staff working in adult social care was 29% between 2020 and 2021, equivalent to approximately 400,000 leavers. Care workers often pay up to £90 per day for parking tickets due to local authority policies, adding financial strain.
Thanked the hon. Gentleman for securing the debate, highlighting a constituent's struggle with parking difficulties as a home care provider.
Mr. Gwynne thanked the hon. Member for Southport for securing the debate, highlighting the importance of learning from different parts of the United Kingdom. He emphasised that care workers are under enormous stress due to a recruitment and retention crisis in the sector, with over 165,000 vacancies reported last year. Mr. Gwynne also expressed concern about parking charges adding financial pressure on carers already struggling with low pay and poor working conditions. I want to take the Minister back to where she rightly said that terms and conditions are matter between the employer and the employee. She was, rightly, very robust on the expectations of the national living wage being paid for waiting to do work. Does she also take a strong view that employers should reimburse their staff for any incurred parking costs?
Jim Shannon advocated for care in the community and shared his personal experience with his brother's care. He highlighted issues such as insufficient pay for care workers, who often work unpaid overtime. He also raised concerns about parking charges affecting care workers' ability to perform their duties efficiently.
Government Response
Helen WhatelyAddressed the debate on supporting domiciliary care workers, emphasized the importance of recognising their work and addressing challenges in recruitment and retention. Acknowledged existing local free parking schemes and committed to raising awareness of best practices. Announced up to £7.5 billion funding over two years for adult social care, including £400 million ringfenced for market sustainability and improvement. Reiterated commitment to ethical commissioning and strengthening careers in social care through reforms.