Responding to recommendations from the Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) today (Wednesday) that social care workers should be paid more, UNISON head of social care Gavin Edwards said:
“The main cause of the care staffing crisis is obvious. Wages are too low to attract and keep workers. Care employers are losing people in droves to warehouses, supermarkets and online retailers able to pay significantly more for less stressful work. It’s no wonder there are shortages.
“Ministers have cynically made it difficult for high-skilled, low-paid foreign care staff to work in the UK, even though the sector is crying out for workers. This report is yet another wake-up call for a government that’s been dozing at the wheel for decades.
“No bluster, no slogans, the government must adopt the MAC’s recommendations now, so the Cinderella care sector can attract the new recruits it needs and retain experienced staff too.”