A new government plan to fix and fund social care with a hike to National Insurance rates was broadly criticised by charities and industry bodies when it was announced by Boris Johnson earlier this month.
Mike Padgham, chairman of the Independent Care Group, said it would not “touch the crisis in the sector” or allow it to “properly award those staff who have played such a vital, life-saving role” during the pandemic.
Skills for Care – a charity that works to develop the adult social care workforce in England – estimated that 7.3% of jobs were vacant in 2019-20 – approximately 112,000 vacancies at any one time.
The charity also publishes data on the average earnings for people working in the sector, by council area – so where in England does it pay the least to be a carer?
NationalWorld has analysed the data to reveal the 15 areas where carers can expect the lowest hourly wage.
Areas are ranked according to the median earnings – that’s the middle point on the scale from worst to best paid in the area – for people employed by independent care providers, which more than three-quarters of workers are. Councils employ 7% directly.
The data includes all people employed in a direct care role – carers, senior carers, and support and outreach workers – and covers 2019-20, at which point minimum wage was £8.21 for 25 and overs, £7.70 for 21 to 24 year olds, and £6.15 for 18 to 20 year olds.
This has since risen to £8.91 for people aged 23 or over, £8.36 for 21 and 22 year olds, and £6.56 for 18 to 20 year olds.
5. Walsall
The average hourly earnings for Walsall’s 4,000 independent sector carers was also £8.46, compared to £12.52 for the 125 council employees. Photo: Shutterstock
6. Lancashire
The 22,000 independent sector workers in the Lancashire County Council area got £8.50 per hour on average. The council employed 2,000 carers directly, with average earnings of £9.94. Photo: Rept0n1x, Wikicommons
7. Rochdale
In Rochdale, there were 3,400 independent provider employees earning £8.51 per hour on average. There were also 175 council employees, who were receiving an average of £11.12 per hour. Photo: Shutterstock
8. Tameside
Also in Manchester, Tameside’s 2,600 workers employed by independent providers also earned an average of £8.51 per hour. Carers employed by the council got £11.88. Photo: Shutterstock