SCOTTISH Labour is demanding that a pay rise for care workers is included in the country’s Budget next week.

The party’s finance spokesman, Daniel Johnson, said that their “heroic” work should be rewarded.

Labour has tabled an amendment to Wednesday’s Budget calling for care workers’ pay to be increased on a scaled basis, starting at £12 an hour then rising to £15.

A survey by GMB union has revealed that 98 per cent of social care workers feel underpaid, and 52 per cent regard themselves as undervalued by the Scottish government.

Mr Johnson said: “Scotland’s social care workers have proved their worth beyond any doubt during this pandemic — that so many are stuck on poverty pay is simply wrong. 

“The social care workforce is predominately female and often subject to unscrupulous employment practices. 

“By delivering a fair pay deal for social care workers we can send a message that the days of this vital workforce being neglected are over.

“At this Budget, Scottish Labour will fight to make fair pay for Scotland’s heroic social care workers a reality, and we call on the SNP to work with us to make this the case for thousands of workers.”

Scottish Labour also wants investment to help rebuild the country’s economy following the pandemic, creating jobs and apprenticeships.

The party is calling for increased investment in the NHS, particularly to tackle a backlog of patients awaiting treatment due to coronavirus admissions.

And it said local government should be given the funding it needs for capital spending.