Councillor Alan Hall has joined campaigners from Citizen’s UK calling for a real living wage for care workers. In London, the Living Wage is £10.75 per hour. This is calculated to include higher housing, childcare and transport costs in the capital.
Not only that, the current public health emergency – covid-19 – has raised the need for World Health Organisation recommended personal protective equipment (PPE) for all care workers.
“For years now care workers in this country have been given the short-straw. I’m glad the Government has finally started to recognise the immense contribution care workers make, particularly during the COVID-19 crisis.
But I’m sure you’ll agree, care workers deserve much more than a badge right now. ” – Bob Padron, Managing Director of Penrose Care, Living Wage Employer since 2012
Lewisham Council promotes the London Living Wage and leads on public health in the borough. It should be at the cutting edge of this campaign.
The full text of the letter to Helen Whately MP – the Minister of State with responsibility for Care is here:
Dear Helen Whately, MP,
The welfare of our care workers
I am writing to you regarding the plight of care workers. For too long they’ve been overlooked and forgotten and now the COVID19 crisis has reminded everyone of the vital work they do.
I know that you, like me, will be overwhelmed with pride in the way our NHS and social care workers have responded. As you clap for carers, I hope in your role as Minister of State for Care you can help right this historic wrong and ensure our care workers and care providers get a financial settlement from government that ensures they can pay the real living wage.
As thousands of workers continue to put their lives in danger, every care worker should receive a real living wage, now and forever.
The real living wage is £10.75 per hour in London and £9.30 in the rest of the UK.
Not only this, please will you to ask the Government to step in and source and provide World Health Organisation recommended personal protective equipment (PPE) for all care workers? They need this.
I believe this issue is now a moral one as well as a public health priority, we must care for those who are putting themselves at great risk to care for the most vulnerable in our society.
Please take urgent action now.
Yours sincerely,
Cllr Alan Hall
To add your name and join this Citizen’s UK campaign, follow the link