Groups sign joint letter ahead of 2024-25 Scottish budget
Over 100 organisations have signed a joint letter sent to the first minister calling on him to increase pay for social care staff and demonstrate that they are valued.
The letter, led by the Coalition of Care & Support Providers in Scotland (CCPS), is supported by organisations from across civil society, with social care providers joined by anti-poverty groups, faith leaders, carers’ representatives and equality organisations, among many others.
In September’s Programme for Government, the first minister announced a new base rate of pay for social care and support staff of £12 from April 2024, increasing from the current rate of £10.90.
As the letter explains, the pledged rate of £12 matches the updated Real Living Wage. The letter states that this sends a clear message to social care staff that they are only worth the bare minimum. In total, 110 signatories were gathered for the calls.
CCPS and signatories to the letter believe that £12 per hour is simply not enough, and that the proposed rate fails to reflect the invaluable societal contribution made by social care staff in supporting people to thrive and live independent lives.
Rachel Cackett, chief executive officer of CCPS, said: “Social care is at the heart of the first minister’s vision for ‘equality, opportunity and community’ in Scotland. Yet it is systematically overlooked and undervalued.
“Organisations that provide social care are rapidly losing staff because the current pay of £10.90 is simply too low to retain them and they migrate to better-paid jobs elsewhere.
“It is a scandal that, in communities across Scotland, people who need support to live, thrive and stay independent, can’t get it because there aren’t the staff available.
“As the first minister will see from the range of signatories to this letter – the first time so many organisations have come together to make a joint call on this issue – we represent an emerging movement who are determined to bring social justice to social care and support.
“We are all clear that a better decision on pay for social care staff is needed in the 2024-25 budget due to be published next month.”
