MP backs cross-party campaign to give social care workers a pay rise after the coronavirus pandemic

South Lakes MP Tim Farron has joined cross-party calls for the Government to increase the pay of social care workers to at least the living wage, in recognition of their immense effort during the coronavirus public health emergency.

In a letter to Health and Social Care Secretary, Matt Hancock, the group of 38 MP's also urged the Government to offer staff additional death in service and sick pay benefits, reimbursement for travel between appointments, and to no longer be referred to as low skilled.

According to analysis by the TUC, one in four social care workers earn less than £10 an hour, and the average employee earns just £16,400 a year.

Tim said: "Those working in social care have been underpaid and undervalued for far too long.

"This crisis offers us an unprecedented opportunity to reform our broken social care system, with the British public overwhelmingly supportive of a pay rise and improved working conditions for those in social care.

"These workers have gone above and beyond in their efforts to look after those in care and have bee extremely brave in the face of this deadly virus.

"The Government must recognise their sacrifice by increasing their pay to at least the living wage".