West Sussex’s Lib Dems call for Carers’ Minimum Wage as vacancies spiral to 3,145

The Liberal Democrats are calling for a higher minimum wage for care workers in West Sussex and across England, to tackle chronic staff shortages in social care.

It comes as the latest figures reveal West Sussex has 3,145 job vacancies in the social care sector, meaning there is a vacancy rate of around 14%. There are an additional 3,606 job vacancies in neighbouring Surrey, with similarly astounding 10.9% vacancy rate.

These chronic staff shortages are leading to patients being left stuck in hospitals waiting for social care, contributing to record-breaking waits in A&E and dangerous ambulance delays.

Under the Liberal Democrat plans, social care workers would be paid at least £2 an hour more than the current minimum wage, bringing their pay up to at least £11.50 an hour today - and £12.42 from this April. The proposals would benefit up to 19,500 people working in the social care sector in West Sussex.

Commenting, Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesperson for Horsham, Cllr John Milne, said:

“The social care crisis is having a devastating impact vulnerable people’s wellbeing, causing record long waits at A&E and terrible ambulance delays. 

“Too many people in Sussex and nearby are stranded in hospital beds because there simply aren’t enough care workers to look after them elsewhere.

“Until we pay a proper wage we will continue to lose skilled workers to supermarkets and other better paid jobs. Care workers do an incredible job day in and day out. It’s a skilled and crucial job and it should be paid more.”

Commenting, Leader of the Liberal Democrats Ed Davey added: 

“It is heart-breaking that millions of elderly and vulnerable people across the country are struggling to get the care they need and deserve. Our NHS is collapsing and social care is completely broken after years of broken Conservative promises.

“The Conservatives’ neglect of social care services has caused an exodus of staff to better paying jobs. Our plan for a Carer’s Minimum Wage would tackle these chronic staff shortages in social care, and help take pressure off the NHS.”