As if we cared: the costs and benefits of a living wage for social care workers

This report is the culmination of a year-long investigation into pay and conditions in social care, and the first authoritative study of the costs and benefits of moving to a living wage for all care workers.

The report argues that pervasive low pay across the sector and tight budget constraints facing care providers means that paying a living wage to all UK care workers cannot realistically be achieved without additional public funding.

While increasing pay is central to the recommendations, the report also outlines how insecure contracts and inadequate employee benefit packages, along with insufficient training, can impede the quality and continuity of care.