Care firms express 'serious concerns' at pay offer

More than 1,500 people in Leeds rely on the companies for care

A group of care companies have warned a council they could withdraw their services to more than 1,500 people unless it reconsiders its pay offer.

The 12 companies, who claim to make up about half of Leeds' home care providers, told Leeds City Council they had "serious concerns" about a proposed 1.6% rise in the fee it pays for care and support services.

In a letter to the council, they said they would withdraw their services unless the authority reconsiders its proposed fee rise, which they warned could lead to "poor and inadequate care".

Leeds City Council said it was considering the feedback of care providers ahead of making a decision on the fee increase.

The companies said they were facing an additional cost of £615 per employee, due - in part - to rises in employer National Insurance contributions, with overall "cost pressures" leading to a rise of between eight and 10% - far more than the 1.6% rise on offer.

They warned providers would struggle to maintain services "without an appropriate funding adjustment".

"The impact on the home care workforce, including recruitment and retention, will be significant - leading to service disruptions and the withdrawal of key providers from the market."

They asked the council to consider a higher offer "that reflects actual cost inflation".

A spokesperson for Leeds City Council said it was under "considerable financial pressures, mainly arising from an increase in demand for adult care services".

"Whilst no decisions have been taken, our fee proposals have been subject to an extensive formal consultation process.

"We have met with the care providers and have listened to their concerns regarding their cost pressures. Their feedback is now being considered and will inform the decisions the Council will make about the fee increases that will be applied for the next financial year".

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