Labour is reportedly set to promise all care workers a wage of at least £12 in its manifesto, set to be released today (Thursday, 12 June).

A Fair Pay Agreement would and unions bargaining with care providers on pay would put care workers on a more equal footing with NHS staff like nurses, iNews reported.

The care workers’ minimum wage, Labour is expected to reveal, would be in line with the real living wage: £13.15 in London, or £12 elsewhere in the UK. The actual amount would be negotiated by unions, iNews revealed.

Commenting on the news, Martin Green, chief executive of Care England, said: “Boosting the pay of the adult social care workforce must be a priority for the next government. Without it, the sector cannot make meaningful progress to address staffing challenges.

“It is encouraging that Labour has recognised this, and now they must follow through by committing to making this sector-wide pay rise fully-funded by central government.

“The ability of care providers to boost pay has been limited in recent years by chronic underfunding by local authorities, and without the resources to back this pay rise, the financial viability of the sector will be at risk.

“Care England would encourage all parties to be bold in their thinking when it comes to remuneration for care workers.

“A fully-funded pay rise to £15, as we have previously called for, would have a transformational impact our sector. It would mean improved recruitment and retention prospects, driving more people into work and improving national and local economies.”