Bolton’s health and care partners have worked together to ensure the borough’s frontline staff will receive the Real Living Wage from April.
Bolton Health and Care Partnership, which brings Bolton Council together with key NHS organisations, has agreed the fee rates for the 2022/23 financial year.
The fees are pre-set rates paid to social care and health providers for certain services, ranging from residential and nursing care to community care in peoples own homes.
The council has allocated £5.4m from its budget, alongside a two-year financial commitment from Bolton NHS organisations, which will see the fees increase from April.
The increase will allow providers to pay their frontline staff the Real Living Wage.
The voluntary Real Living Wage of £9.90 per hour outside of London is independently calculated based on the cost of everyday essentials.
By comparison the National Living Wage, the legal minimum set by the government, will be £9.50 per hour from April.
This not only recognises the outstanding work done during the pandemic but will also attract more people into a rewarding and fulfilling profession.
The decision underlines the partnership’s commitment to supporting the frontline staff who provide a vital service to some of the most vulnerable adults in our community.
Bolton Health and Care Partnership will continue to work with local providers to implement the introduction of the Real Living Wage for frontline staff.
Bolton Council Leader, Cllr Martin Cox, said:
“It is important that frontline health and care workers in Bolton receive the Real Living Wage.
“This not only recognises the outstanding work done during the pandemic but will also attract more people into a rewarding and fulfilling profession.
“We thank our NHS partners as well as the local trade unions who have worked with us to achieve this change.”
The Chair of Bolton Clinical Commissioning Group, Dr Niruban Ratnarajah, said:
“We are pleased to be able to support this move which will ultimately enable front line care workers to receive a Real Living Wage.
“The groups of staff to benefit are those who look after the most vulnerable residents in our borough and the pandemic has highlighted more than ever just how valued their work is.”