Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the Welsh Government’s social care workforce payment scheme and plans for similar payments in other devolved nations, what steps his Department is taking to recognise the contribution of social care workers during the covid-19 outbreak in England.

The social care workforce now more than ever demonstrates unwavering compassion and dedication. We are grateful and proud of everyone working in social care. We want to celebrate the workforce and give them the acknowledgement and appreciation that they deserve. This includes developing the CARE brand to increase visibility and amplify the voice of social care both now and in the future. Alongside the CARE brand, we are providing CARE badges for all employed in social care to wear. We are continuing to explore further ways to recognise the workforce, empower staff and reinforce appreciation across the sector, and are making sure this recognition continues far beyond the end of the COVID-19 pandemic.