CARERS IN ELDERLY MENTALLY ILL NURSING HOMES

Early day motion 631, tabled 19 July 2005 by Mark Williams (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 36 members.

That this House notes with concern that carers and nursing auxiliaries in nursing homes outside NHS trusts and local government employment are paid considerably less than NHS and local government employees, often little more than the national minimum wage; regrets that Government guidelines to local authorities on charging regulations mean that carers looking after old people, often with severe dementia, are dependent on market forces to establish their worth; and calls upon the Government to work with the Welsh Assembly Government and the Scottish Parliament Executive to ensure that new guidance is issued to local authorities which recognises the worth of carers working outside the NHS and local government and ensures that they receive realistic wages and have improved terms and conditions.

Signatures by party: Labour 21, Liberal Democrat 10, DUP 2, Conservative 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1, UUP 1.