Category: Gavin Edwards

Government’s approach to care visas allows dodgy employers to exploit migrant staff

Commenting on the publication of a report from David Neal, the previous inspector of borders and immigration, on the social licensing scheme for care worker visas, UNISON head of social care Gavin Edwards said:

“The government doesn’t understand social care. If ministers had even a basic grasp of the sector, they would have reformed it long ago. But instead, the inept approach to the awarding of care visas has given dodgy employers total freedom to exploit overseas staff at whim.

“Thankfully, many migrant care workers are becoming wise to poor treatment by some of the more unpleasant operators in the sector.

“Things have got so bad that many migrant workers may head for other parts of the world where their skills will be welcomed with open arms. The government has failed everyone in care – the good employers, the staff and all those in need of support.”

Notes to editors:  
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union with more than 1.3 million members providing public services in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.

Media contacts:
Liz Chinchen M: 07778 158175 E: press@unison.co.ukSophie Goodchild M: 07767 325595 E: s.goodchild@unison.co.uk

The article Government’s approach to care visas allows dodgy employers to exploit migrant staff first appeared on the UNISON National site.

Government’s approach to care visas allows dodgy employers to exploit migrant staff

Commenting on the publication of a report from David Neal, the previous inspector of borders and immigration, on the social licensing scheme for care worker visas, UNISON head of social care Gavin Edwards said:

“The government doesn’t understand social care. If ministers had even a basic grasp of the sector, they would have reformed it long ago. But instead, the inept approach to the awarding of care visas has given dodgy employers total freedom to exploit overseas staff at whim.

“Thankfully, many migrant care workers are becoming wise to poor treatment by some of the more unpleasant operators in the sector.

“Things have got so bad that many migrant workers may head for other parts of the world where their skills will be welcomed with open arms. The government has failed everyone in care – the good employers, the staff and all those in need of support.”

Notes to editors:  
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union with more than 1.3 million members providing public services in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.

Media contacts:
Liz Chinchen M: 07778 158175 E: press@unison.co.ukSophie Goodchild M: 07767 325595 E: s.goodchild@unison.co.uk

The article Government’s approach to care visas allows dodgy employers to exploit migrant staff first appeared on the UNISON National site.

Care changes are a start but won’t solve staffing crisis

Commenting on new measures announced by the government to encourage recruitment and retention in adult social care, including qualifications and training, UNISON head of social care Gavin Edwards said today (Wednesday):

“A national career structure for care workers and recognised qualifications are long overdue.

“But any attempt to fix the social care staffing crisis will be fatally undermined unless the government delivers the investment and reform that’s desperately needed. Otherwise, it’s like putting a shiny new wing mirror on a car with a broken engine.

“What’s required is a significant hike in pay or staff will continue to leave in droves. Retail and hospitality pay much more with far less pressure.

“Ministers must also tackle rogue employers who drive down conditions for care workers, leading to the highest vacancy rates in the UK economy.

“These changes are hardly the plan to fix social care that was promised four and a half years ago. What’s needed is the proper reform that can only come from a national care service.”

Notes to editors:
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union with more than 1.3 million members providing public services in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.

Media contacts:
Anthony Barnes M: 07834 864794 E: a.barnes@unison.co.uk

The article Care changes are a start but won’t solve staffing crisis first appeared on the UNISON National site.

Care changes are a start but won’t solve staffing crisis

Commenting on new measures announced by the government to encourage recruitment and retention in adult social care, including qualifications and training, UNISON head of social care Gavin Edwards said today (Wednesday):

“A national career structure for care workers and recognised qualifications are long overdue.

“But any attempt to fix the social care staffing crisis will be fatally undermined unless the government delivers the investment and reform that’s desperately needed. Otherwise, it’s like putting a shiny new wing mirror on a car with a broken engine.

“What’s required is a significant hike in pay or staff will continue to leave in droves. Retail and hospitality pay much more with far less pressure.

“Ministers must also tackle rogue employers who drive down conditions for care workers, leading to the highest vacancy rates in the UK economy.

“These changes are hardly the plan to fix social care that was promised four and a half years ago. What’s needed is the proper reform that can only come from a national care service.”

Notes to editors:
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union with more than 1.3 million members providing public services in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.

Media contacts:
Anthony Barnes M: 07834 864794 E: a.barnes@unison.co.uk

The article Care changes are a start but won’t solve staffing crisis first appeared on the UNISON National site.

Council funding boost will do nothing to fix deep-rooted problems in social care

Commenting on the government’s announcement that councils in England will receive £40m extra to enhance social care with the aim of freeing up hospital beds today (Monday), UNISON head of social care Gavin Edwards said:

“This is a drop in the ocean compared to the scale of the problem.

“It will do next to nothing to fix the deep-rooted problems in social care. Anyone trying to arrange a care package knows all too well that the system is broken.

“Instead of endless short-term measures to patch up a sector in crisis, the government must commit to complete reform.

“What’s needed is a national care service that’s adequately funded, with proper standards and fair pay for its workforce.”

Notes to editors:
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union with more than 1.3 million members providing public services in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.

Media contact:
Fatima Ayad M: 07508 080383 E: f.ayad@unison.co.uk
Anthony Barnes M: 07834 864794 E: a.barnes@unison.co.uk

The article Council funding boost will do nothing to fix deep-rooted problems in social care first appeared on the UNISON National site.

Council funding boost will do nothing to fix deep-rooted problems in social care

Commenting on the government’s announcement that councils in England will receive £40m extra to enhance social care with the aim of freeing up hospital beds today (Monday), UNISON head of social care Gavin Edwards said:

“This is a drop in the ocean compared to the scale of the problem.

“It will do next to nothing to fix the deep-rooted problems in social care. Anyone trying to arrange a care package knows all too well that the system is broken.

“Instead of endless short-term measures to patch up a sector in crisis, the government must commit to complete reform.

“What’s needed is a national care service that’s adequately funded, with proper standards and fair pay for its workforce.”

Notes to editors:
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union with more than 1.3 million members providing public services in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.

Media contact:
Fatima Ayad M: 07508 080383 E: f.ayad@unison.co.uk
Anthony Barnes M: 07834 864794 E: a.barnes@unison.co.uk

The article Council funding boost will do nothing to fix deep-rooted problems in social care first appeared on the UNISON National site.

Matt Hancock’s actions during the pandemic left the care sector exposed, says UNISON

Commenting on the evidence given to the Covid inquiry today (Wednesday) by former health and social care secretary Matt Hancock, UNISON head of care Gavin Edwards said:

“The Conservatives had been in power for ten years when Covid struck. But a range of ministers systematically neglected social care, leaving it in a dreadful state at a critical time.

“Matt Hancock is living in a different world. His actions left the care sector exposed to the devastating impact of the pandemic.

“He failed to make enough protective kit and testing available when staff and care home residents desperately needed it. His disregard for the most vulnerable cost thousands of lives.

“The government repeatedly ignored calls to improve the availability of sick pay so care workers didn’t lose out when ill or isolating. Ministers’ failure to act meant many staff continued to work, with shocking consequences.

“Nothing can right the many mistakes made by ministers three years ago. But social care can be improved drastically now so the sector is more resilient in future.

“A properly funded national care service, delivered by local councils, using better trained and fairly paid staff, would ensure good quality care to all who need it.”

Notes to editors:
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union with more than 1.3 million members providing public services in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.

Media contacts:
Fatima Ayad M: 07508 080383 E: f.ayad@unison.co.uk
Liz Chinchen M: 07778 158175 E: press@unison.co.uk

The article Matt Hancock’s actions during the pandemic left the care sector exposed, says UNISON first appeared on the UNISON National site.

The social care crisis is worsening by the minute, says UNISON

Commenting on the report from the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (Adass) that suggests most councils in England aren’t confident they can offer the legal minimum of social care support next year, UNISON head of social care Gavin Edwards said today (Wednesday): “The social care crisis is worsening by the minute. 

“Care workers are overworked, underpaid and struggling to plug the gaps in a sector desperately short of staff.

“The acute underfunding, complete absence of meaningful reform and the government’s refusal to address workers’ pay has left care in dire straits. 

“Ministers must take responsibility and pledge to deliver a well-funded national care service with nationwide pay scales, and a long-term workforce plan.”

Notes to editors:
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union with more than 1.3 million members providing public services in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors. 

Media contacts:
Fatima Ayad M: 07508 080383 E: f.ayad@unison.co.uk
Anthony Barnes M: 07834 864794 E: a.barnes@unison.co.uk

The article The social care crisis is worsening by the minute, says UNISON first appeared on the UNISON National site.

Ignoring the social care crisis will worsen the broken system, says UNISON

Commenting on the report by the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services (Adass) that calls on the government to reform the system of care and support in England, UNISON head of social care Gavin Edwards said:

“Ministers are choosing to ignore the social care crisis. Deep-rooted staffing problems will only begin to be resolved by addressing endemic low pay in the sector. 

“A national care service with better pay and conditions would end the profiteering in care and turn around this broken system.”

Notes to editors:      
-UNISON is the UK’s largest union with more than 1.3 million members providing public services in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.

Media contacts:
Fatima Ayad M: 07508 080383 E: f.ayad@unison.co.uk
Liz Chinchen M: 07778 158175 E: press@unison.co.uk

The article Ignoring the social care crisis will worsen the broken system, says UNISON first appeared on the UNISON National site.

Boost wages to reform broken ‘bargain-basement’ social care system, says UNISON   

Responding to a call by the County Councils Network for the government to push back social care reforms, UNISON head of social care Gavin Edwards said:  

“It defies belief that the government’s bare bones plans for social care are already crumbling. Neither Boris Johnson nor Liz Truss have delivered on their promises for funding and reform.

“Vacancy rates are rocketing because care workers are underpaid for a difficult and skilled job. Ministers have been warned repeatedly about the crisis by unions and employers, but the government has failed to take meaningful action.

“Council leaders are right to highlight the acute workforce problems but delaying reform isn’t the answer. What’s needed is a fully-funded national strategy that boosts wages, puts quality above profit-making and replaces the current broken, bargain-basement system.” 

Notes to editors: 
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union with more than 1.3 million members providing public services in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.

Media contacts:
Liz Chinchen M: 07778 158175 E: press@unison.co.uk 
Anthony Barnes M: 07834 864794 E: a.barnes@unison.co.uk 

The article Boost wages to reform broken ‘bargain-basement’ social care system, says UNISON    first appeared on the UNISON National site.