Councils are being asked to pledge their support for a national care service for England in a campaign launched today (Tuesday) by UNISON.
The union is urging councillors across England to back a motion it has drawn up that calls for the urgent reform of social care, including the introduction of a fair pay agreement for staff.
The document says there are 131,000 vacancies in the care sector in England, and ‘buck-passing and intransigence’ by previous governments has ‘broken this vital public service’.
UNISON believes a national care service would improve the quality of support for the thousands of people who depend on help. The social care workforce would also benefit from better pay and conditions, which would help companies attract new staff and encouraging those they already employ to stay in the sector, adds the union.
The motion states: “Many care staff are paid the minimum wage or less for a difficult and skilled job.
“Meanwhile, this country has been shamed by the exploitation of many migrant care staff, who are forced to work excessive hours or pay huge amounts for their training or equipment.”
Secretary of state for health and social care Wes Streeting and care minister Stephen Kinnock are among dozens of MPs who have already signed an earlier UNISON pledge to back a national care service.
By supporting the UNISON motion, councils will not only be showing their support, but will also be urging the government to follow through on its manifesto commitment to create a national care service.
The motion adds: “This council pledges its support for a national care service and encourages the government to carry out this reform.”
UNISON head of social care Gavin Edwards said: “Social care has been ignored and neglected for years. People who rely on care cannot live the life they want because the system is broken.
“Care workers have been denied a fair deal. That’s why so many are leaving for better-paid jobs elsewhere.
“By backing a national care service, councils would improve support for local people in need.”
Notes to editors:
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union and the largest union in the NHS and in the ambulance sector, 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
Fatima Ayad M: 07508 080383 E: f.ayad@unison.co.uk
The article Councils urged to back national care service to fix ‘broken’ system, says UNISON first appeared on the UNISON National site.
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