STORY
Care workers are set to be represented in a new Fair Pay Agreement process, with the Government announcing plans for a £500 million package to support improved pay and conditions. Ministers said the measure was intended to tackle low pay, insecure work and high turnover in the adult social care workforce.
The agreement process is expected to bring together unions, employers and Government to consider pay, training and wider employment standards. Ministers have argued that improving conditions for care workers is essential to stabilising a sector under long-term pressure.
Councils and care providers will be watching closely for details of how the funding will be distributed. The policy is likely to be welcomed by unions, but providers may warn that any new wage commitments must be fully funded to avoid further strain on local care markets.