MP backs protest against care firm ‘cuts proposals’
ROCHDALE’S MP has signed an open letter to oppose possible cuts made by a care provider.
Labour’s Tony Lloyd joined 20 other North West MPS in signing the letter which opposed care provider Alternative Futures Group’s (AFG) ‘Chance for Change’ proposal.
The letter notes the proposals, if carried out, may change the enhanced terms and conditions for support workers as part of a ‘cost reduction programme’ and fear this could mean cuts to pay for front line workers.
AFG said the proposals are still in a consultation process and that elections to form an Elected Employee Council (EEC) for the purpose of the consultation are taking place - adding that it would be inappropriate to comment further while these elections are underway.
They added that they ‘have written to the Government calling on them to do a thorough and meaningful review of the social care workforce and put more money into the system so that we can pay our hard working colleagues better’.
Commissioned by Rochdale Borough Council, AFG provides health and social care in the community and supports more than 1,000 people with a range of learning disabilities and mental health issues in the North West.
Twenty-one MPS - including Rochdale MP Tony Lloyd - and 63 councillors from across the region, along with trade union UNISON, have signed the letter.
Led by Liverpool Wavertree MP Paula Barker, the letter also notes that AFG turned down Rochdale Council’s offer of additional funds to pay the Foundation Living Wage in April.
It claims that 84 per cent of commissioned providers in Rochdale accepted the increase in funds to pay the living wage.
In response, AFG said: “We would love to pay our staff a Real Living Wage, but to do this means we need to review all our current enhanced terms and conditions and discuss with our team how we move forward towards this aim.
“We stand with our staff to lobby local authorities and central government to tackle the historical underfunding of this sector so that the real living wage becomes the norm within our industry and makes our business sustainable for the future, which as a charity we have a legal obligation.
“It is disappointing that there is still no plan for social care reform. While employee council elections are still underway, it would be inappropriate for us to comment further.”
Coun Iftikhar Ahmed, Rochdale council’s cabinet member for adult care, said: “Our Real Living Wage has already been adopted by most providers in the borough, boosting the pay packets of thousands of frontline care workers. Looking after elderly and vulnerable residents is an essential role and the work of our care staff throughout the pandemic has been absolutely incredible. The pay increase is the least they deserve and we are working closely across the sector so that all providers can implement the wage as soon as possible.”