INVESTMENT in Britain’s shattered social care sector would boost the whole economy and take pressure off the NHS, a new report has stated.

But instead it is short of 152,000 workers and its skilled staff are among the lowest-paid in the country.

The report, Carenomics, is published by the Future Social Care Coalition (FSCC) whose member organisations include public-sector union Unison.

It states that social care in Britain is “fragmented and underfunded” and says the sector is “stifling the economy” and having a negative effect on the labour market. 

The report warns that the government’s levelling-up agenda and other measures to transform Britain cannot be achieved without substantial new investment in social care. 

“If investment in social care were boosted and more care workers recruited on better wages, it’s likely more people aged 50-64, currently unable to work because of caring responsibilities, could return to the labour market,” says the report. 

Unison general secretary Christina McAnea, who is also joint chair of the FSCC, 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.”