Three quarters of Britons support tax rise to fund adult social care

Three quarters (73 per cent) of Britons would support a tax increase to pay for adult social care, with another 86 per cent stating carers ‘should be well paid and trained’, according to a new survey.

Credit: Sutterstock/ Monkey Business Images The Survation poll for union GMB also highlighted that the public was not happy with the care sector as it stands currently, with 68 per cent of respondents saying they thought adult social care is in a poor state.

Only seven per cent of those polled opposed tax rises to pay for social care, with 59 per cent supporting a reverse to tax cuts – such as corporation tax – to pay for it.

Kelly Andrews, GMB national officer, said: “Our social care system isn’t just in crisis – it’s crumbling around our ears. A third of carers leave the profession every year while funding is woefully behind what is needed.

“Throughout our lives, we will all come into contact with care - be it our mums and dads needing help, working as a carer or knowing someone who does. Ultimately we will all need it ourselves.

“GMB will not stop unless this vital service is professionalised. The dedicated carers we all rely on need the pay and training they deserve.”

Earlier this year the union helped launch an All Party Parliamentary Group on Social Care (APPG Social Care) made up of a cross-party group of MPs whose task is to look at the care system, funding and state of staffing in the sector.

Today GMB are launching a large nationwide care survey to build a picture of the sector across the country.