FM urges councils to agree deal and ensure social care worker wage

By Iain MacDonald3rd February 2016News ScotlandLocal Authorities, News Scotland, Pay, Pay and Conditions, Social Care, Workforce

The First Minister has called on councils to “do the right thing” and accept the funding deal being offered by the Scottish Government.

She made the plea as the February 9 deadline loomed for Scotland’s 32 local authorities to sign up to the financial package.

Councils are engaged in a stand-off with the Scottish Government, with local authority body Cosla complaining they are facing a ”totally unacceptable” £350 million of cuts.

SNP ministers insist the deal is sufficient to allow authorities to continue the council-tax freeze, invest in integrating health and and social care and maintain the pupil-to-teacher ratio in Scotland’s schools.

In addition, there is a “significant enhancement” in resources which will allow those working in adult social care to be paid the living wage of £8.35 an hour.

Ms Sturgeon said: “The Scottish Government is committed to making Scotland a fairer place for all and I can think of no better way to promote that ideal than by ensuring our care workers receive the living wage in return for the invaluable work that they do.

“The Scottish Government and local authorities have a shared aspiration to deliver and promote fairness in the workplace and to work towards a living wage. The funding available in this year’s budget means that can now be achieved.

“Paying the living wage for care workers – the vast majority of whom are women – will help improve the incomes of these absolutely crucial workers, retain their talents in the sector and lay strong foundations for the future as the population ages and demand for their services increases.”

The First Minister spoke as she met care workers who are already being paid the living wage at St Joseph’s Services in Rosewell, Midlothian.

She stated: “We recognise that there are pressures on budgets across the whole of the public sector, however the settlement set out in the draft budget, and contained in the offer made by John Swinney to councils, is a good deal that will help some of those low-paid workers get the boost to their incomes that they deserve.

“I hope that local authorities do the right thing and respond positively to our offer.”

Winnie Tuohy, director of St Joseph’s Services, said: “A fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work – that should apply to any type of work. It is very important that when people strive to better themselves it should be rewarded.

“The values of our organisation drove us to invest in the movement. Social care has been undervalued for years.”