The recruitment crisis in social care won't be resolved until wages rise in the sector, according to Unison, and achieving this with the government's promised fair pay agreement will be the first step towards a much-needed national care service in England.

Unison's standing up for care workers motion was the first debate of the four-day Trades Union Congress (TUC), in Brighton. The union's proposal also calls for a credible workforce strategy and an end to the exploitation of migrant care staff.

Social care employers in England already have 131,000 fewer staff than they need. As long as pay rates in care stick around the minimum-wage mark, the sector won't be able to recruit and retain the workers needed to meet the growing demands of an ageing population, says Unison.

The new government has also committed to establishing a national care service, a move which the union says is essential to provide quality support to everyone who needs it and their families. A national service would also relieve pressure on the NHS, and help promote care work as fairly paid and a career worth having, the union adds.

The development of a fair pay agreement will additionally help to stop the illegal underpayment of wages especially among the migrant workers who are essentially stopping the sector from going under, says Unison.

In its motion, the union says ‘unions must hold Labour to account on its plans to ensure providers behave responsibly'.

The motion to the TUC Congress also highlights how poor pay and working conditions – such as a lack of sick pay – explain why skilled care staff are leaving for better-paid, less-stressful jobs elsewhere, and care firms are struggling to attract new employees. 

In addition, the motion adds: 'This crisis has been caused by a toxic combination of years of chronic underfunding, privatisation and workforce exploitation. Employment in the sector is frequently insecure and largely underpaid, often illegally so.

'Proper sick pay remains elusive for thousands of care workers, along with training and progression opportunities. Congress is particularly alarmed at the exploitation of the migrant workforce.'

Unison general secretary, Christina McAnea, said: ‘Care workers will only feel valued enough to stay when they are paid higher wages and treated better. The crumbling care system is in desperate need of reform, but real change can only begin when salaries reflect the skilled work staff do.

'A national care service would mean fewer older people going into hospital because of a lack of support, freeing up beds and allowing the NHS to cut waits and delays for patients. It would also put a stop to the appalling treatment of employees from overseas.'