Today the Health Foundation published new research which shows UK carers are twice as likely to live in poverty than average workers.
‘Caring for older people and disabled people is vital and fulfilling work, but it has long been underpaid and undervalued,’ Lucinda Allen, policy fellow at the Health Foundation, said.
‘Sadly, it is not surprise that so many care workers and their families are struggling to keep up with bills, afford enough food, put savings aside and provide warm clothing for their children.’
To give context, new research published by the independent charity this morning found one in five UK residential care workers have faced poverty and more than one in 10 experienced food insecurity.
What’s more, 15% were discovered to rely on Universal Credit and one in 10 children of care workers were forced to go without basic essentials, such as a warm winter coat.
Against this backdrop the research, which saw experts examine national data from 2021/22 to 2023/24, revealed 80% of UK jobs paid more than what carers receive. As it stands, carers are given a wage of £12 an hour and the majority are on zero-hour contracts.
Lucinda added the report also exposed ‘worrying inequalities’ that affect migrant social care staff. She said: ‘Over one-third of residential care workers born outside of the UK live in poverty, compared to one tenth of those born in the UK.
‘Around one in every 20 working people in England is employed in social care. Enhancing pay and working conditions in the care sector could be an important part of the government’s growth agenda, improve people’s lives and help fill the 131,000 social care vacancies. The government must deliver on its promise of fair pay for care workers, alongside wider improvements in our care system.’
Meanwhile, the report also recommends plans to implement the Casey Commission should move as quick as possible. Announced at the beginning of this year, the commission looks to introduce a ‘national care service’.
Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya via UnSplash
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