logo
Care home workers ‘almost twice as likely to be in poverty as average UK worker'

Care home workers ‘almost twice as likely to be in poverty as average UK worker'

Earlier this month, following the launch of the Government's 10-year health plan focused on the NHS, Health Secretary Wes Streeting said he would 'shortly be setting out how we will deliver the first ever fair pay agreements for the care workforce, building a real social care progression'.
The adult social care sector has long faced problems with staff retention and recruitment, with an estimated 131,000 vacancies on any given day.
No date has yet been announced for details to be given on the Fair Pay Agreement as part of the Employment Rights Bill, which is currently making its way through the House of Lords.
It is expected the Government will confirm how much funding will be available to support it and launch a consultation at some point later this year into how it should work.
The spending review published last month stated there would be an increase of more than £4 billion of funding available for adult social care in 2028-29, compared with 2025-26.
But the Health Foundation has estimated this might not be enough to both fund the sector more generally to meet rising demand for social care and to ensure better pay for workers.
The charity estimated an extra £3.4 billion would be necessary just to meet demand for publicly-funded social care in England in 2028/29, while increasing pay for the care workforce to at least NHS band three levels could cost a further £2.3 billion.
Current band three annual salaries for full-time workers in roles such as emergency care assistants and occupational therapy support in the NHS are between £24,937 and £26,598.
Such an increase could lead to a 6.6% rise on average in household income for care home staff and their families, leading to 'a modest but important reduction in poverty', the charity said.
For the poorest fifth of care home staff and their families, household income could rise by 14.7%, it added.
According to Health Foundation analysis of national data from 2021/22 to 2023/24, someone working in a care home in the UK is almost twice as likely to live in poverty as the average UK worker, while children in those families are three times more likely to be materially deprived as those in the average working household.
The analysis, which used data from the Households Below Average Income (HBAI) and the Family Resources Survey (FRS), found that over the three-year period, care home workers were twice as likely to live in a food-insecure household as the average UK worker and twice as likely to have used a food bank in the past year compared with other workers.
While 2.9% of workers in residential care had used a food bank, this compared with 1.5% of all workers.
The charity said its findings 'likely underestimate poverty rates for the whole care workforce' as they focused their research on staff in care homes rather than those looking after people in their own homes, where the organisation said 'problems with insecure employment and underpayment are even greater'.
The report states that, given its estimates of how much funding is needed to meet demand in the sector and provide better pay, the current £4 billion announced by Government risks 'leaving local authorities to choose between providing people with the care they need and funding much needed wage rises for the care workforce'.
Lucinda Allen, policy fellow at the foundation, said while social care is 'vital and fulfilling work', it has 'long been underpaid and undervalued'.
She added: 'Around one in every 20 working people in England is employed in social care. Enhancing pay and working conditions in the care sector could be an important part of the Government's growth agenda, improve people's lives, and help fill the 131,000 social care vacancies.
'The Government must deliver on its promise of fair pay for care workers, alongside wider improvements to our care system.'
The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) urged the Government to swiftly introduce a fair pay agreement, after the report highlighted 'the urgent need to improve pay and conditions for care workers'.
RCN England executive director Patricia Marquis said: 'It is a sad state of affairs that such a vital workforce is so poorly valued and little wonder that there are so many vacancies. When care homes cannot recruit enough staff it leaves too many without access to the care they deserve.
'Ministers must not delay in introducing a fair pay agreement and a new body to improve conditions for care workers, as well as rooting out exploitation. Failure to do so will only undermine ambitions to move care into the community and deepen a social care workforce crisis that harms the vulnerable.'
Unison general secretary Christina McAnea described it as a 'national scandal those looking after some of the most vulnerable are more likely to be on poverty pay and struggling to make ends meet'.
She added: 'By finding the funding for a fair pay agreement that should see care workers rewarded properly, the Government will be showing it's serious about transforming the crisis-ridden sector.
'Decent wages have to be at the heart of the promised national care service the country needs so desperately.'
A Government spokesperson said: 'Care workers play a vital role in society caring for our most vulnerable and deserve to be paid properly for their hard work.
'That's why we've launched the first ever Fair Pay Agreement for carers, increased the National Living Wage – worth £1,400 more a year for full-time workers – and delivered the biggest ever rise in the Carer's Allowance earnings threshold.
'We have also launched an independent review into social care to build a National Care Service, which will also look at how we can improve working conditions and retention.'
The Casey Commission, launched earlier this year, aims to set out a plan to implement a national care service, but social care leaders have previously raised concerns over the potential timeline of 2036 for some recommended reforms to be introduced.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

How to check if your child has had the MMR jab
How to check if your child has had the MMR jab

Scotsman

time2 hours ago

  • Scotsman

How to check if your child has had the MMR jab

Measles can cause life threatening complications 🏥 Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Measles is nearly twice as contagious as the common cold. Cases of measles have been increasing across the UK. Health officials are warning parents to get their children vaccinated. Parents are being urged to vaccinate their children as the number of measles cases continues to rise. It comes after earlier this month, a child who had contracted measles died at Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Cases of measles have been on the rise, since January 1, there have been 529 laboratory confirmed measles cases reported in England, an increase of 109 cases since the last report on June 5. The decline in the uptake of vaccinations including the MMR, means that vaccination rates are well below the World Health Organisation's (WHO) target of 95%, leaving thousands of children left unprotected. Speaking in June, Dr Vanessa Saliba, Consultant Epidemiologist at the UK Health Security Agency said: 'The MMR vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and your family from measles. Babies under the age of one and some people who have weakened immune systems can't have the vaccine and are at risk of more serious complications if they get measles. They rely on the rest of us getting the vaccine to protect them. 'It is never too late to catch up, if you're not sure if any of your family are up to date, check their Red Book or contact your GP practice. Don't put it off and regret it later.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Parents are being encouraged to get their children vaccinated from measles. |What is measles? Measles is a highly contagious viral infection that can lead to serious complications and in rare cases even death. What are the symptoms of measles? Measles often first materialises as cold-like symptoms including a high temperature, a blocked or runny nose, sneezing and a cough. Small white spots may also appear inside the cheeks and back of lips, according to the NHS, along with a visible rash. What is a measles rash? A measles rash is usually appears a few days after developing the cold-like symptoms, brown or red in appearance, it starts on the face and behind the ears before spreading to the rest of the body. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Who is eligible for the MMR vaccine? The MMR vaccine is offered to all babies and young children as part of the NHS vaccination schedule. It is delivered in two doses, the first when the child is one-years-old and the second when the child is three years and four months old. Babies between six and 12 months can have an extra dose of the MMR vaccine before this if: they're travelling abroad to an area with a lot of measles they've been close to someone with measles there's an outbreak of measles The MMR vaccine is also available to older children and adults who may have missed their vaccination at GP surgeries and in some pharmacies. How can I check my child's MMR status? If you are unsure as to whether or not your child is up to date with their MMR vaccinations you can check your child's vaccinations Red Book, or contact your GP practice who can provide more information. If your child is not up to date, your GP will then be able to provide the vaccinations they need.

How to check if your child has had the MMR jab
How to check if your child has had the MMR jab

Scotsman

time3 hours ago

  • Scotsman

How to check if your child has had the MMR jab

Measles can cause life threatening complications 🏥 Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Measles is nearly twice as contagious as the common cold. Cases of measles have been increasing across the UK. Health officials are warning parents to get their children vaccinated. Parents are being urged to vaccinate their children as the number of measles cases continues to rise. It comes after earlier this month, a child who had contracted measles died at Alder Hey Children's Hospital in Liverpool. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Cases of measles have been on the rise, since January 1, there have been 529 laboratory confirmed measles cases reported in England, an increase of 109 cases since the last report on June 5. The decline in the uptake of vaccinations including the MMR, means that vaccination rates are well below the World Health Organisation's (WHO) target of 95%, leaving thousands of children left unprotected. Speaking in June, Dr Vanessa Saliba, Consultant Epidemiologist at the UK Health Security Agency said: 'The MMR vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and your family from measles. Babies under the age of one and some people who have weakened immune systems can't have the vaccine and are at risk of more serious complications if they get measles. They rely on the rest of us getting the vaccine to protect them. 'It is never too late to catch up, if you're not sure if any of your family are up to date, check their Red Book or contact your GP practice. Don't put it off and regret it later.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Parents are being encouraged to get their children vaccinated from measles. |What is measles? Measles is a highly contagious viral infection that can lead to serious complications and in rare cases even death. What are the symptoms of measles? Measles often first materialises as cold-like symptoms including a high temperature, a blocked or runny nose, sneezing and a cough. Small white spots may also appear inside the cheeks and back of lips, according to the NHS, along with a visible rash. What is a measles rash? A measles rash is usually appears a few days after developing the cold-like symptoms, brown or red in appearance, it starts on the face and behind the ears before spreading to the rest of the body. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Who is eligible for the MMR vaccine? The MMR vaccine is offered to all babies and young children as part of the NHS vaccination schedule. It is delivered in two doses, the first when the child is one-years-old and the second when the child is three years and four months old. Babies between six and 12 months can have an extra dose of the MMR vaccine before this if: they're travelling abroad to an area with a lot of measles they've been close to someone with measles there's an outbreak of measles The MMR vaccine is also available to older children and adults who may have missed their vaccination at GP surgeries and in some pharmacies. How can I check my child's MMR status? If you are unsure as to whether or not your child is up to date with their MMR vaccinations you can check your child's vaccinations Red Book, or contact your GP practice who can provide more information. If your child is not up to date, your GP will then be able to provide the vaccinations they need.

Working class people in Swale and Thanet urged to work in the NHS
Working class people in Swale and Thanet urged to work in the NHS

BBC News

time3 hours ago

  • BBC News

Working class people in Swale and Thanet urged to work in the NHS

People from working class communities in Swale and Thanet are being encouraged to find jobs in the government has confirmed a new £5m national pilot scheme to help get those worst hit by unemployment in places such as Kent on to the health service career programme will provide training and skills development to the long-term jobless, unpaid carers, the over-50s, disabled individuals, care leavers and young people not in Secretary Wes Streeting said: "The NHS should be acting as an engine of growth and employment within the very communities it serves." Focussing on an initial 1,000 people across the country, there may also be work placements available at various health and care employers in order to provide insights into career opportunities at entry level. Working alongside local organisations, with mentors and ambassadors to maximise engagement, the scheme follows Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's recently launched 10 Year Health Plan to reform the NHS in England. "The 10 Year Health Plan is committed to tackling health inequalities and we're making sure people in Swale and Thanet, no matter their background, have a way out of the inactivity trap," said Streeting."We are delivering an NHS fit for the future and offering a ladder out of poverty and into work for people in working class communities." Nikki Teesdale and Karen Sharp, directors of the Medway and Swale and East Kent Health and Care Partnerships, said: "This is about health, aspiration, and opportunity."Across our coastal communities, too many people face persistent challenges from poor health and low educational outcomes to economic inactivity. "This programme gives us a powerful opportunity to address these inequalities through community-led support, meaningful partnerships and targeted action that reaches those who need it most."

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store