FEATURE


need to understand that this sector is vital for thousands across the country and has enormous potential, but only with the right funding in place.


CARE STAFF PAY IS NOT SUSTAINABLE


The hardworking staff who form the backbone of the care system have long been underpaid and undervalued, and ministers must understand that this cannot continue.


This isn’t just unfair on those already working in care – it is also having a damaging impact on our ability to attract new people into the profession. Skills for Care reports that 470,000 more workers will be needed by 2040 to meet demand. That challenge will only grow unless pay and conditions improve.


In a government survey of care workers, 60.7% of respondents cited pay levels compared with other sectors as the biggest barrier to recruitment and retention.


In September 2025, the government announced £500m of investment in the first ever fair pay agreement for care workers in England. This is welcome, but it isn’t due to come into force until 2028. Ministers need to understand that care workers cannot wait that long for better pay – they need it now. And what about Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland? Fair pay should apply across the UK.


THE FUTURE IS DECIDED NOW


Ministers must remember that the decisions made today will determine the future of care.


Most of us will rely on the care system at some point in our lives, and demand is only going to increase. According to the Older People’s Commissioner for Wales, the number of people aged over 60 in Wales alone is set to rise to 956,000 in 2026 – around 30% of the population.


An ageing population means rising demand. If the system is already struggling to meet current needs, how will it cope over


the next decade and beyond? Ministers need to understand that what we invest now will determine whether the system can cope in the future. The longer it is allowed to struggle, the harder those problems will be to fix.


More funding would allow us to develop a sustainable care model that will still be standing years from now. With proper investment in staff pay, skills, training and working conditions, we can also be confident in attracting and retaining more people. Care residents deserve a stable, supportive team – and that is only possible when staff themselves are properly valued.


“The decisions made today will determine the future of care.”


FINAL THOUGHTS


There’s no doubt that ministers at every level have difficult decisions to make, but the care system must be taken seriously when considering the health of our current and future population.


Care can only work at its best when funding is prioritised and not treated as a burden. Budgets may be tight, but the most vulnerable people in society should not pay the price.


Equally, ministers must understand that without fair pay for care workers, the system risks buckling under the strain. These changes need to happen now. Time is not on our side, and continued delay will only leave the sector in a more fragile state.


www.mychoicehealthcare.co.uk


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www.tomorrowscare.co.uk


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