Source · Select Committees · Health and Social Care Committee
Recommendation 51
51
Acknowledged
Paragraph: 181
Social care pay is crucial, but a comprehensive long-term strategy is also needed.
Conclusion
Witnesses to this inquiry left us in no doubt that pay is a crucial factor in recruitment and retention in social care. Social care providers are consistently being outbid by the retail and hospitality sectors. However, whilst pay increases are sorely needed, merely raising wages is not enough. A long-term, sustainable strategy is needed which includes the prospect of pay progression, professional development, training, and career pathways.
Government Response Summary
The government acknowledges the importance of pay and a long-term strategy for social care, noting additional funding of up to £2.8 billion in 23-24 and £4.7 billion in 24-25, and an increase in the National Living Wage. It will publish a plan for adult social care system reform that will support the workforce.
Paragraph Reference:
181
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
We are making available up to £2.8 billion of additional funding in 23–24 and up to £4.7bn in 24- 25 to support adult social care. On top of this, on 1 April 2023, the Government will increase the National Living Wage (NLW) for workers aged 23 years and over by 9.7% to £10.42, meaning a full-time worker on the NLW will see their annual earnings rise by over £1,600. This is likely to benefit hundreds of thousands of care workers across the country. The government is committed to the 10-year vision for adult social care set out in the People at the Heart of Care white paper. This is a vision created and shared with people who draw on, work in, and provide care and support. We have made good progress on implementing this vision since the white paper was published, including by increasing workforce capacity through domestic and international recruitment. The government will shortly publish a plan for adult social care system reform that will build on our progress so far. This will have support for the adult social care workforce at its core, and will enable care workers to develop their skills, progress in their careers and get the professional recognition they deserve.