Social care ‘poverty pay’ scandal demands more than opportunism – The Yorkshire Post says

Yet, while many will sympathise with Labour’s renewed call today for ‘poverty pay’ levels in this sector be increased to £10 an hour, a responsible Opposition’s duty extends beyond this headline pledge.

First, there will be an expectation that Angela Rayner, the party’s deputy leader, sets out, clearly and coherently, how this policy will be funded – or will it be left to cash-starved councils to plug the gaps?

Second, Ms Rayner, and her Shadow Cabinet colleagues, should be challenged to give an indication on the extent to which they would expect the burden of taxation to increase if they’re in power.

Finally, the question of pay is intrinsic to wider reform of social care which demands a cross-party approach because of the longer-term implications. Is Labour willing and able to engage in any future process?

This newspaper has long championed social care – and the work of carers. They do deserve better. What they don’t want is political opportunism.

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