As the Providers Unite Day of Action reaches Parliament, The Carer editor Peter Adams has been marching alongside other community care and support providers from across the UK.
The rally is part of a protest against the impact of the autumn Budget on adult social care.
The Nuffield Trust calculated that the changes announced in the budget will cost independent care providers in England an extra £2.8bn in 2025-26: £940m in additional national insurance and £1.85bn in extra wage costs.
Martin Jones MBE, CEO of Home Instead UK & International, says:
“Today’s Providers Unite Day of Action highlights the action that the government must take to future-proof social care. You’ll see people from across the Home Instead family flying the flag for home care.
“Facing a rapidly ageing population and recruitment challenges, we need to boost the sector’s ability to provide quality care, delivered by a trained and motivated workforce.
“It all begins with greater support from the government, and particularly a review of rising Employer National Insurance contributions. It’s a barrier to recruitment at a time when we’re seeing a rise in demand, especially for home care as more of us hope to spend our later years at home.
“Well done everyone talking part in today’s march.”
Co-Chairs of the Care Association Alliance, Melanie Weatherley MBE and Eddy McDowall, commented regarding today’s Day of Action:
“We support the Providers Unite day of action on 25th February as we feel it’s important to send a plain message to Government.
“The adult social care sector is at risk of collapse.
“Changes to Employers’ National Insurance Contributions have come after years of underfunding and a sustained increase in care need and complexity.
“The vulnerable people who use care services, the social care workforce, and hard working small businesses are all facing an unacceptable level of risk.
“We need urgent funding and reform to save social care now.”
