MP calls for pay issues to be addressed

In a letter to Mr Hunt, copied to Business and Treasury Ministers, Paul Blomfield MP expresses concern at comments made by the Health Secretary and his Junior Minister David Mowat MP during a debate on social care in the House of Commons. He accuses Ministers of failing to acknowledge that non-payment of the National Minimum Wage in the care sector is widespread and not limited to a few isolated cases.

Building on the work Mr Blomfield has done to end non-payment for compulsory travel time for care workers, his letter demands Ministers come together across Departments to put a stop to the abuses.

Mr Blomfield said: “It’s time the Government got serious about this. Back in 2014, the National Audit Office revealed that between 160,000 and 220,000 homecare workers were being paid below the National Minimum Wage. Over three years we’ve had debate after debate in Parliament, but workers still aren’t getting what they’re owed. I urge the Health Secretary to take a lead.”