Future Social Care Coalition and support for care staff

That this House welcomes the launch of the cross party and cross sector Future Social Care Coalition and believes now is time for Government to support a fair deal for the social care workforce; notes that since the covid-19 outbreak social care workers are now seen as essential and not unskilled; is concerned that half of the 1.6 million social care workforce on the forgotten frontline earn less than the real Living Wage of £9.30 an hour or £10.75 in London, and thousands are still not paid in full for all the hours they work; further notes that a third of care staff leave their roles each year, up to a quarter are on zero hours contracts and that currently there are 112,000 staff shortages resulting in at least 1.5 million elderly and vulnerable people having unmet care needs and only 15 minute time and task visits; observes that staff shortages and high turnover affect the quality and continuity of care for service users, as does the low level of training and low pay many staff receive; contends that if we value those who are in care then we must value their carers; supports the Future Social Care Coalition’s request for parity of esteem for the social care sector with the NHS and a long term social care funding solution; and urges the Government to establish an immediate £3.9 billion Emergency Support Fund to deliver greater skills training and a professional career structure as well as improved pay and conditions for social care workers.