Responding to publication of Scottish Care’s Agenda for Care manifesto, which calls for extra funds for staff wages, Alison Johnstone, Health and Social Care spokesperson for the Scottish Greens and MSP candidate for Lothian, said:
“Carers are undeniably underpaid. Having served Edinburgh and Lothian as a councillor and an MSP I know from speaking to people in my area how undervalued carers are, and that must change. Green MSPs will campaign for all care and support workers to be paid significantly above the Living Wage, financed by progressive taxation.
“Earlier this year Green councillors in Edinburgh proposed a funded plan to pay a ‘Living Wage Plus’ of £9 an hour to social care staff. Green MSPs will campaign for this to be introduced across Scotland to help local authorities recruit the best staff and retain those with experience.
“Scotland Can care for all our people but better conditions for staff are vital. Scottish Greens also believe the estimated 788,000 people providing unpaid care to family members and friends need greater recognition and support. Power to increase the Carer’s Allowance will soon be devolved to the Scottish Parliament and Greens will campaign for a 50% increase in payments to £93 a week.”