Norfolk care staff are on their way to Parliament today to warn MPs that the care system is “close to collapse.”
Care workers’ union UNISON has organised the lobby to push for action following decades of underfunding and a steady erosion of pay and conditions that have been laid bare by the pandemic.
The union and employers say that the situation has led to serious problems in both recruitment and retention of staff, with many attracted by higher paid, less stressful jobs elsewhere.
Skills for Care estimates that there will be an extra 490,000 jobs in social care by 2035 but vacancy rates are rising since the pandemic.
UNISON Eastern regional organiser Cameron Matthews said: “Government ministers couldn’t show enough support for care workers during the pandemic but have done precious little to put more cash in their pockets.
“But these care workers aren’t just going to the heart of government for a pay rise, they’re going because unless the sector gets the support it needs, the whole system could collapse.
“That would be a disaster not only for the staff, but for Norfolk’s most vulnerable residents: the nearly 40,000 people across the county who rely on adult social care services.
“We hope MPs listen to care staff’s concerns and take urgent action to tackle this crisis.”
