Private sector care workers three times more likely to be on zero hours contracts, GMB finds

Care workers working in the private sector are three times more likely to be on zero hours contracts than those working in the public sector, research by the GMB Union has found.

The analysis of Skills for Care statistics revealed those working for private care companies in England earn 17% lower than their public sector counterparts and four in ten people leave their job every year.

In addition, more than 50% of private carers have no relevant social care qualifications, compared with less than 20% in the public sector, the data revealed.

Rehana Azam, GMB National Secretary, said: “These sobering statistics show a lack of funding in the care sector is putting the profession – and all of our futures – in serious danger.

“Recruiting and retaining quality staff to tight budgets is one of the most challenging issues providers are facing.

“This government is bungling Brexit and can’t even get it together to publish its long-awaited Green Paper on social care.

“We need action – GMB is now calling for special status for our EU care workers so we can continue to care for vulnerable people regardless of what happens with Brexit.”

The news yesterday coincided with an Opposition Day Debate on Social Care Funding which discussed funding cuts and called for the publication of the government’s Green Paper.