Wales’ social care staff will earn the real living wage

Wrexham’s Member of the Senedd, Lesley Griffiths, has welcomed the announcement from the Welsh Government that social care staff in Wales will receive the real living wage as part of a package to support the sector.

One of Welsh Labour’s key election pledges, the implementation of the Real Living Wage is the first step in to raising wages, esteem and recognising staff for their extraordinary contribution to the coronavirus pandemic.

Currently £9.90 per hour, the Real Living Wage is independently calculated by the Resolution Foundation and overseen by the Living Wage Commission. The Real Living Wage will apply to registered workers in care homes and domiciliary care, in both adults and children’s services. The uplift will apply to Personal Assistants who provide care and support which is funded through a direct payment.

The Welsh Government will provide Welsh Local authorities and Health Boards with £43 million so they can implement the Real living Wage from April; with workers feeling the benefit in the following months.

Welcoming the announcement, Lesley Griffiths MS said: “Social care workers play a crucial role in our society and they have continually gone above and beyond the call of duty during the pandemic.

“Paying our care workers the Real Living Wage was one of Welsh Labour’s key election pledges so I am pleased the Welsh Government has acted swiftly.  It is a way of recognising and rewarding our social care workers for the vital work they do looking after some of the most vulnerable people in our community.”