CARERS FOR THE ELDERLY IN PRIVATE NURSING HOMES

That this House notes with concern that carers and nursing auxiliaries in nursing homes outside NHS trusts and local government employment are paid considerably less than NHS and local government employees, often little more than the national minimum wage; regrets that Government guidelines to local authorities on charging regulations mean that carers looking after older people, often with severe dementia, are dependent on market forces to establish their worth; and calls upon the Government to work with the Welsh Assembly Government and the Scottish Executive to ensure that new guidance is issued to local authorities which recognises the value of carers working outside the NHS and local government and ensures that they receive realistic wages and have improved terms and conditions.