Mayor of Liverpool Joanne Anderson and Cabinet member for adult social care Councillor Frazer Lake respond to Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s announcement of reforms to the system.
Boris Johnson’s social care reforms announced today will do nothing to solve the systemic crisis facing adult social care in northern cities such as Liverpool.
Each week, home care companies and residential and nursing homes are losing staff to other sectors that pay more, such as supermarkets and bars.
Devoted staff are throwing in the towel because they don’t feel valued or respected.
So the single biggest thing the Government could do to help fix the situation is to improve pay and conditions for those working on the frontline.
It is an absolute scandal that today’s announcement does not guarantee a single penny in additional income for those making sure our loved ones live in safety and comfort.
Indeed, the rise in National Insurance contributions means they will end up with even less in their pay packet.
Care workers have gone and beyond throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.
They have had a gruelling 18 months, risking their own health to look after the most vulnerable.
The very least they deserve is better pay and more recognition.
It is only when this happens that we have any hope of tackling the crisis.
The Government’s plan is a huge missed opportunity.
