Bishop of London asks about fair pay in the social care sector

The Bishop of London asked a question on ensuring fair pay, hours, and pensions for social care workers on 18th June 2025:

The Lord Bishop of London: My Lords, as we have heard, concerns around low pay and insecure contracts are long-standing in the social care sector. The Minister made mention of the fair pay agreement; can she explain how this will ensure that a living wage, living hours and living pensions will be paid to staff among the private social care providers?

Baroness Merron (Lab, DHSC): As noble Lords will be aware, the Employment Rights Bill establishes a framework for fair pay agreements. That will mean an agreement through which adult social care sector pay, as well as other terms and conditions, will be established through negotiating bodies. The negotiations will be reached by employers, workers’ representatives and others, in partnership. That will provide the opportunity to negotiate this in a responsible manner and help address the recruitment and retention crisis in the sector and support the delivery of high-quality care.

Hansard