Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of any potential threat to the viability of social care providers caused by the Employment Appeal Tribunal ruling on backdating sleep-in pay.

The Government recognises the pressure that sleep-in back pay liabilities are placing on providers of social care, and is exploring options to minimise any impact on the sector. Any intervention to support the sector would need to be proportionate and necessary.

The Government commissioned market analysis to assess the impact of sleep-ins back pay liabilities across the social care sector. This work forms part of the evidence base that is being used to assess options and is subject to further analysis and refinement. The Department has committed to sharing a summary of the analysis at the appropriate time.