Oldham Council has announced its new plans for the 2022 budget with a council tax rise and pay increase for care workers among the major announcements.
A 3.99 per cent rise in council tax will be implemented, two per cent of which will be designated to adult social care.
The council has also confirmed it will be using one per cent of its proposed council tax rise to pay the Foundation Living Wage to all of its carers, whether directly employed or in the care supply chain.
Carers will see their wages rise from £9.50 per hour to £9.90, meaning they will earn the Foundation Living Wage.
Council leader Arooj Shah told The Oldham Times: "During the pandemic, the social care workers stepped up in a difficult time, so it's only right we show them gratitude for what they did.
"They are some of our lowest paid workers so it is just the right thing to do."
There are an estimated 4,300 care people in Oldham who work in the care sector, 85 per cent of which are women.
Of those women, 75 per cent have families.
Over a 40-hour work week, the average for a care sector worker, the rise will mean an extra £16 a week in a care worker’s pocket and an extra £768 a year.
Lisa Whittaker, a Carer working at Oakdene Care Home in Lees, said: “An extra £768 a year will mean not having to scrimp and save as much when my children need something.
“Carers generally live hand to mouth so this increase in pay is definitely a positive thing and makes us feel appreciated.”
Katherine Chapman, director of the Living Wage Foundation, said: "We are delighted to hear of Oldham Council’s move to uplift over 4,300 frontline care staff in Oldham.
"Over the past two years, adult care workers have been instrumental in keeping our society healthy and functional, and we welcome Oldham Council’s move to uplift them to £9.90 an hour.
"The extra £768 a year will make a huge difference for workers, as they face rising costs of living.
"We call upon all businesses who are able to do so to consider joining Oldham Council, and accrediting with the Living Wage Foundation."
The remaining 1.99 per cent of the budget's tax increase will be devoted to the council's stretched core services, such as street cleaning, highways and youth work.
The full budget proposals will go to the council’s Cabinet on February 14 before being debated by full council on March 2, when the council’s budget for 2022/23 will be set.
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