Social care providers have given a guarded welcome to the Labour Party’s reported priorities for the sector in the coming general election.

The comments followed a report in The Observer yesterday which said Labour would delay National Care Service legislation if elected but prioritise securing a fair pay deal for care workers.

Independent Care Group chair, Mike Padgham, who is due to discuss Labour’s plans shortly with shadow care minister, Andrew Gwynne, said: “Tackling social care workers’ pay will inevitably bring greater funding into the sector, which has to be welcome.”

Padgham voiced concerns, however, over the report that Labour would not seek to introduce National Care Service legislation in its first King’s Speech if elected, commenting: “We do have concerns that this cautious approach will not deliver the changes the sector needs, quickly enough.”

The care leader said there was “widespread agreement” that a National Care Service bringing both NHS healthcare and social care under one roof was “the best way forward as we try, as a country, to get both sides working properly”.

“We would like to see proposals for major funding reform, allied to creating a National Care Service in all parties’ manifestos for the general election, with a promise that work will begin immediately after the election.”

UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea said that “in stark contrast to the litany of broken promises” from the current government, Labour was committed to reforming care.

The union said Labour’s proposed fair pay agreement would mean: “Care jobs will immediately become more attractive, and the sector will be able to start filling the huge hole in its workforce. That will boost support to everyone needing care and begin to lift the pressure on the NHS.”

Speaking at the launch of the Hft and Care England Sector Pulse Check report last month, shadow minister Gwynne pledged to make a National Care Service a reality.

“It’s clear that we do need some proper, long-term thinking and that’s why I have been set the mission of developing Labour’s 10-year vision for a reformed social care sector culminating in the creation of a National Care Service,” he said.

Gwynne also promised Labour would introduce a fair pay agreement for care workers in its first 100 days allowing staff to move “seamlessly” between health and social care.