Council chiefs are calling for a formal role in negotiations on the Government’s proposed Fair Pay Agreement for care workers.
The Government has earmarked £500m from 2028/29 for the first agreement, suggesting it could support a 3% pay rise, but has only committed funding for one year.
An Adult Social Care Negotiating Body will be set up to agree pay and conditions. While unions and care providers will be included, councils say they may have only observer status.
Modelling commissioned by the County Councils Network (CCN) indicates a 3% uplift across the system could cost £853m annually, leaving a potential £350m shortfall. A 5% rise could reach nearly £1.5bn.
CCN argues that local government should have a formal role in negotiations and warns that without full, long-term funding, councils may have to scale back services.
Cllr Glen Sanderson, adult social care spokesperson for the County Councils Network, said: ‘With negotiations set to begin this year, it is incomprehensible that councils, the largest commissioners of care services are effectively spectators. We have a statutory duty to our residents and to manage our care markets, yet we are being asked to shoulder the policy’s risk without having a meaningful say.’
