“Matt Hancock continues to shirk responsibility for the many lives lost on his pandemic watch.
“Saying sorry now rings hollow. Nothing can ease the pain for the families of care home residents and staff who died.
“They’re paying the price for his incompetence and will never forget Mr Hancock abandoned their loved ones.
“Social care was his brief, but he failed in his duty to keep thousands of vulnerable people and workers safe. His boast about a ‘protective ring’ was a complete fiction.
“If there are any lessons to be learned from this tragedy, ministers must begin by showing they care about social care. The government must fund the sector properly, boost staff pay and drop threats to limit the number of migrant care workers currently propping up the system.”
Notes to editors:
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union with more than 1.3 million members providing public services in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.Media contacts:Liz Chinchen M: 07778 158175 E: press@unison.co.uk
Anthony Barnes M: 07834 864794 E: a.barnes@unison.co.uk
