A major report by a coalition of former health and care ministers, employers and UNISON has called for substantial new investment in social care.

The Future Social Care Coalition (FSCC) report, entitled Carenomics, says care staff are crucial to the UK labour force and economy, and calls for urgent intervention from ministers to attract and retain workers.

UNISON general secretary and joint FSCC chair Christina McAnea said: “A properly funded social care system should be the backbone of a thriving economy.  

“But the government has allowed the sector to become underfunded and fragmented. It’s no wonder care staff are leaving for jobs where the pay and conditions are much better. 

“More money for social care must be an urgent priority for the next government. This would take the pressure off an overstretched NHS, allow people caring for relatives to find jobs, help reduce social inequality and increase tax revenue for the exchequer.”

The report reveals at least four in five UK jobs pay more than social care. Figures show care staff with over five years’ experience earn just 7p per hour more than colleagues who have been in the role less than a year.

The FSCC says social care has a crucial role in helping older people with caring responsibilities to stay in work.

It says an increase of just 1% in the number of people aged 50 to 64 in work could boost GDP by around £5.7 billion per year.

Care worker Sam Thornton, who has been supporting people with learning disabilities for more than 30 years, said: “The job I do is as skilled as a nurse in a hospital but we’re not valued. The responsibilities we have are mind-blowing at times, people’s lives are in our hands.

“Social care has been in crisis for years. More investment is desperately needed to make the work more attractive to new staff.”