Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will take steps to ensure that care workers are paid a minimum of (a) £9.30 an hour and (b) £10.75 an hour in London in line with the amount set by the Living Wage Foundation; and if he will make a statement.

The Government does not set the levels of pay for care workers; however, we are committed to raising the profile of the social care sector and want to see those working in social care sector properly recognised and rewarded for their work. Putting social care on a sustainable footing, where everyone is treated with dignity and respect, is one of the biggest challenges that we face as a society. There are complex questions to address, which is why we have invited cross-party talks. That is why we are committed to taking forward social care reform during this Parliament.