Homecare workers warn fuel costs are unsustainable

The homecare sector is calling on the government to support care workers who are struggling with rising fuel prices triggered by the US-Israel war with Iran.

Alexandra Snow, who often drives 50 miles (80km) a day to help people in their own homes, said: "Before the war started it cost £45 to fill up, it's now £63 so that's a massive difference."

She said it forced her to be more selective about which homes to attend, based on the cost of getting there.

A government spokesperson said it was supporting care workers by extending the 5p fuel duty until September. It said its Fair Pay Agreement would lead to "one of the biggest upgrades in their pay, rights and conditions in a generation".

Fuel prices surged when the conflict began on 28 February with the production and transportation of energy across the Middle East slowing or stopping entirely due to missile strikes and drone attacks.

Snow works for Home Instead, which employs 150 homecare workers across Somerset.

Company director Mark Hunt said rising fuel prices had already resulted in staff members leaving despite the firm giving employees a pay rise before the conflict began.

"We do pay costs for mileage and travel but it's still not going to cover the excess that's been incurred," he said.

Hunt explained "margins in homecare are very tight" after rising inflation, minimum wage increases and changes to employment rights.

Dr Jane Townson, CEO of the Homecare Association which represents 2,100 homecare providers, fears workers will leave the industry if the crisis continues because "the increasing cost is not going to be sustainable".

She said: "We already have a challenge with retention and recruitment of care workers.

"This may just make it worse unless there are some contingency plans put in place."

The organisation estimates that, collectively, the UK's homecare workers drive about four million miles (6.4 million km) a day to deliver care to elderly and disabled people.

It is now lobbying for homecare to be seen as essential infrastructure and for it to be included in emergency and fuel resilience planning and for homecare workers to be recognised as essential mobile workers so they are eligible for more support.

The government spokesperson said it was "determined" to keep costs down and that it was taking action to "put money in the pockets of our vital care workforce".

They said: "Over this parliament, care workers will receive one of the biggest upgrades in their pay, rights and conditions in a generation, alongside our changes to the minimum wage and new measures in the Employment Rights Act."

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