Latest care sector employment figures must be a wake-up call for ministers, says UNISON

Responding to the latest social care employment data released by Skills for Care today (Wednesday), UNISON head of social care Gavin Edwards said:

“A reduction in the number of vacancies is good news and shows more people will get the support they need.

“It’s primarily due to international staff recruitment and underlines the vital importance of migrant care workers. The government must recognise the huge contribution these people have made and reverse their proposals on earned settlement. 
“The figures also suggest the structural problems of low pay and poor working conditions have gone nowhere.
“That makes the introduction of a properly funded Fair Pay Agreement, all the more urgent. The £500m so far promised doesn’t even touch the sides of what’s required.
“The fact that an extra 410,000 workers will be needed in the sector by 2040 must be a wake-up call for ministers to invest in this skilled, but too often neglected, workforce.”

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: 
Fatima Ayad M: 07508 080383 E: [email protected]
Dan Ashley M: 07508 080349 E: [email protected]