Free e-bikes, discounted bus travel and other incentives are needed to encourage low-paid workers to use green transport, says Campaign for Better Transport in a report today (Monday).
The charity is calling on the government and employers to help care staff make the switch through car sharing and clubs, schemes to buy or lease electric vehicles (EVs) and other measures to cut CO2 emissions.
Backed by UNISON, the union for social care staff, the report reveals how communities depend on these frontline workers to look after elderly and vulnerable people in their own homes.
Greening social care shows how domiciliary staff rely heavily on cars in order to carry out their jobs effectively, including meeting tight schedules. More than a third (36%) say they drive over 400 miles a month for work.
More than two thirds (71%) travel between home visits in their own vehicles, of which the majority are petrol or diesel, making a significant contribution to air pollution and carbon emissions.
Only one in ten (10%) travel by public transport for their work because many say they find it too unreliable or infrequent.
Fuel costs are a huge burden on home care workers, according to Greening social care. More than half (51%) of home care workers spend over £100 a month on petrol or diesel for work, compared to a quarter (25%) of all care workers.
EVs are cheaper to run, particularly if charging at home. Yet a majority (61%) of home care workers believe they are too expensive to buy, and only a small proportion (2%) say they own a hybrid or EV.
In addition to incentives, such as EV leasing or purchasing schemes, employers must also rethink how they allocate care visits, says the report.
This would significantly reduce the travel distances required of domiciliary carers, decrease fuel expenses and the impact on the environment. Better route planning would also improve home carers’ efficiency and give them more time with the people they look after.
UNISON head of social care Gavin Edwards said: “Home care workers provide a vital service in communities. They mustn’t be left behind as the public sector moves towards greener working practices.
“Many are expected to travel hundreds of miles to look after elderly and vulnerable people. Employers and the government need to make it easier for care staff not to rely on their cars for work.
“E-bikes, subsidised public transport and other incentives are needed urgently to help them make the switch.”
Campaign for Better Transport director of policy and campaigns Silviya Barrett said: “Hundreds of thousands of people rely on care workers daily for their most vital needs. These frontline staff are also low-paid and highly dependent on cars to do their jobs.
“Policymakers must understand their views and experiences to decarbonise transport fairly without burdening or excluding them. Employers too must make it easier for care staff not to rely on their cars for work.
“This report shows how targeted support can reduce emissions even in this tricky area, while making life easier and cheaper for this essential workforce.
“These measures can also serve as a practical example of how to transition critical sectors to a decarbonised future in a fair and efficient way.”
Notes to editors:
– Click here to access the full report Greening social care: a just transition to cleaner transport.
– The report was based on a survey of 1,677 care staff between 21 May and 28 August 2024. A fifth (20%) were homecare workers, with the remainder working in residential/nursing care (29%), supported living (24%), social work (5%) and other settings (22%). The responses of homecare workers were compared to those of all respondents. Two focus groups were also held during the same period with 14 care workers.
– Campaign for Better Transport’s vision is for all communities to have access to high quality, sustainable transport that meets their needs, improves quality of life and protects the environment. It is a registered charity (1101929) operating in England and Wales.
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union, with more than 1.3 million members providing public services in social care, education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.
Media contacts:
Anthony Barnes M: 07834 864794 E: a.barnes@unison.co.uk
Campaign for Better Transport press office M: 07984 773468 (calls only, no texts) E: communications@bettertransport.org.uk
The article Support home care workers with greener and cheaper transport, say UNISON and Campaign for Better Transport first appeared on the UNISON National site.
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