Care workers were rightly hailed as heroes during the pandemic.
Many of these dedicated men and women put their own and their families’ health and safety at risk to look after others.
Their job is demanding and, judging by how poorly they are treated by employers, often thankless. A GMB union survey today reveals that many feel “abandoned and betrayed” since Covid and no better off.
They are on low pay and have to work long hours to make a living wage. No wonder they have decided to protest outside Holyrood to demand better conditions.
Families across the country depend on these dedicated workers to look after elderly or frail relatives.
Many of us will one day need care workers and the expertise they provide. More must be done to show that their contribution to every community in the country is appreciated.
That’s not done by “clapping for carers” and promises of jam tomorrow. It’s done by improving conditions and wages.
The Scottish Government should lead the way and make sure the proposed minimum wage of £15 per hour is reached as soon as possible.
And private care homes have been accused of caring more about profit than their staff. They should remember without their workers there is no profit.
Target right cases
The principles behind the Labour Government’s welfare reforms are sound. Helping people who can work back into employment is beneficial to those individuals and wider society. If people are being held back because they are languishing on an NHS waiting list, the Government should be intervening.
Enabling people who desperately want to work but simply cannot is the sign of compassion, not punishment.
But the issue Keir Starmer’s team must address is how their proposed welfare changes affect people who need disability or incapacity benefits.
The Personal Independent Payment (PIP) allows people with disabilities to work and should not be part of a round of penny pinching.
Some folk are also so ill that they can never work and these individuals must not be worse off.
Another important factor is the UK Government must publish the impact assessments showing the effect of these changes on child poverty levels.
The balancing act in any round of welfare reform is focusing on people who can work while protecting those who cannot.
The Government has a job to do to ensure its well-meaning plans do not harm the vulnerable.