The government has betrayed those who were on the frontline of the pandemic

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Social care work is as invaluable and deserves the same respect as the NHS

In his recent appearance in front of the Covid inquiry, Jeremy Hunt admitted that the NHS needs to get “better on workforce planning”. While this is in no doubt true, it is disappointing to see a continued lack of focus on the issues in social care. The sector is facing a huge funding shortfall and 165,000 vacancies.

The ongoing deprioritisation of social care is a betrayal of the hardworking, skilled individuals who were on the frontline of the pandemic and continue to provide essential care and support for older and disabled people. Social care is as invaluable and deserves the same respect as the NHS. Yet the government has cut £250 million from promised funding to support its workforce.

The NHS simply cannot function without social care. The government must benchmark minimum care worker pay with NHS Band 3 (including therapy assistants, pharmacy assistants, and administrative workers) and must provide the necessary funding for local authorities and social care providers.