UK Social group Disabled People Against Cuts (DPAC) and others believe the crisis in social care staffing is caused by two main factors. Firstly, Brexit and the loss of freedom of movement and secondly depressed wages which for many Direct Payment users haven’t increased for 8 or more years. As of September 2022, job vacancies in the care sector have risen by 52% in the past 12 months [Skills for Care]. According to Care England, 78% of care homes are using more agency workers than in 2021 despite the fact that 73% think that agency staff are less reliable than permanent staff. Add to this the fact that 86% of care providers said that the costs of agency staff have increased since April 2021 and reports of salaries show large discrepancies between employee rates and agency rates. Unsurprisingly, this often means that care workers move to agencies for better pay. Despite this, those in power see using agency workers as a short term solution.

During what is being called the ‘greatest workforce crisis in NHS history’ [Health and Social Care Select Committee] Martin Green, the Chief Executive of Care England has cited “deep-rooted recruitment and retention issues” as the cause for the care crisis. Boris Johnson’s government announced allocations of £500m over 3 years to boost career development and wellbeing of social care staff, however, Liz Truss reportedly plans to scrap the National Insurance increase that funds the Health and Social Care levy. Calls for more staff have led to plans to recruit overseas, with the hope that there will be equal pay between domestic and overseas workers. Care England and the House of Commons are calling for a £7 billion increase to the annual adult social care budget and are also asking the government to cap agency fees.

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