- GMB Union does not back raising regressive national insurance
which would hit the lowest paid workers
GMB, the union for social care workers, says any additional
investment in adult social care must go to the workforce.
The call comes amid reports the Government has decided to raise
National Insurance to drum up £10 billion for adult social care.
GMB Union has also renewed its call for £15 an hour for care
workers.
Rachel Harrison, GMB National Officer said:
“We can debate the merits of how social care should be funded,
but GMB does not back raising regressive national insurance which
would hit the lowest paid workers.
“Any investment in adult social care must come with ringfenced
cash to improve the pay, terms and conditions of workers across
social care to reflect the skilled and valued job they do.
“The Government says it wants to put social care funding on a
sustainable footing. They can only do that by prioritising the
workforce and ensuring skilled workers stay in the profession and
the sector can recruit.
“As we recover from the pandemic and if Ministers are serious
about ‘levelling up’ the country we can’t go back to the failed
business model of the past - and that means Government investment
plans are not just skewed towards men.
‘The largely women workforce in social care deserve no less than
the average UK wage, £15 an hour. Government and employers must
make this a priority.
