UNIONS representing social care staff are calling for an urgent meeting with ministers to discuss the workforce “crisis” in the sector.

The TUC and officials from Unison, Unite and the GMB have written to the government warning there is no serious plan to tackle staffing shortages.

The call comes after it was revealed that planned funding for the social care workforce is to be halved.

In a joint letter to care minister Helen Whately, the unions describe the decision to reduce funding as a “huge step backwards.”

The union leaders said: “The training and development fund has been halved from the £500 million pledged to £250m.

“Investment to support health and wellbeing among the social care workforce is nowhere to be seen, and with no sign of the long-awaited workforce strategy, there is no serious plan in place to address the social care staffing crisis for the long term.

“Staffing is the single biggest challenge facing adult social care. The disproportionately female, BME social care workforce delivers an essential public service. 

“Yet ever-worsening pay and conditions combined with low morale have contributed to a recruitment and retention crisis.

“Four out of 10 care workers earn less than the real living wage and nine in 10 earn less than the £15 per hour unions are calling for. 

“Almost a quarter of the sector are employed on zero-hours contracts. This has a real impact on the lives of people who rely on care services.

“The government promised to throw a protective ring around social care, but instead it is presiding over a perfect storm.”