Question reference: S6W-24338
- Asked by: Jackie Baillie, MSP for Dumbarton, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: 4 January 2024
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Current status: Answered by Maree Todd on 1 February 2024
Question
To ask the Scottish Government what its position is on whether social care staff can reach pay equity with those in the public sector by the Fair Work Nation deadline of 2025, in light of it offering £12 per hour to not-for-profit social care and support staff in its Budget.
Answer
The Scottish Government has a long-standing commitment to the principles of Fair-Work as we recognise and value the work that the social care sector do.
We are committed to lifting standards for adult social care workers and for those people who are in receipt of care, which is why we have increased spending within the sector.
The £12 minimum pay-rate from April 2024 for Adult Social Care workers represents a 14.3% increase for these workers in the last two years; with pay rising from at least £10.50 per hour in April 2022.
We have continued to progress a number of key projects to take forward and improve Fair Work principles, which will not only improve the current experience of the workforce, but also help to attract and retain new staff into the workforce.