All Merseyside councils have signed up to pay care workers the National Living Wage.

There are six councils in the Merseyside region – Wirral, Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, Halton and St Helens – with several of these having already introduced the Living Wage.

Following agreement with Liverpool City Council all care workers in the region will receive the Living Wage from April 2024.

Following St Helens Borough Council’s decision to adopt the Living Wage last month, councillor Marlene Quinn, cabinet member for integrated care, said: “Given the fragility within the adult social care sector and our moral and ethical responsibility to recognise the valued work undertaken by care staff to the most vulnerable people in the borough, this decision has our full support.

“Paying the Real Living Wage will have a positive impact on staff retention and wellbeing at a time when the cost-of-living is presenting real hardship in many thousands of hardworking homes. And ultimately this move will benefit the wider community – the people, our friends and family, who rely on the kindness and dedication of our care workers.”

A Knowsley Council spokesperson said “At the Council Budget meeting on 8 March 2023, it was agreed to invest £8.6 million to support the adult social care provider market. This will enable adult social care providers to pay care workers at least the Real Living Wage from 1 April 2023. Ensuring that our care workers are recognised and paid what they deserve is a key priority for us. They are the backbone of our health and social care system and they provide invaluable support to thousands of residents.”

UNISON national officer Gavin Edwards said: “UNISON is totally committed to improving the working conditions in social care. As the biggest union in the sector it is our responsibility to push for a better deal for care workers.

“Our regions and branches are doing a fantastic job at this, but the government must act nationally. That’s why UNISON has launched a ground breaking campaign for a National Care Service in England to finally fund and structure this vital public service properly. This includes pushing for national pay and conditions for all care workers.”