SCOTTISH Greens have forced a Holyrood vote on proposals for a £15 minimum wage for social care workers.

North East Scotland MSP Maggie Chapman tabled an amendment today to a Scottish government debate on the future of the NHS, pointing out that the “issues in hospitals cannot be solved without addressing the crisis in social care.”

Ms Chapman said: “If we want a care system that works for patients, service users and families, then we need to value the people who deliver that care.

“That means paying every social care worker at least £15 an hour, with annual increases in line with inflation at a minimum.”

She added that £15 an hour “cannot be seen as a ceiling, it must be the floor.

“Scotland needs a care system that is free at the point of use, properly funded and built around the needs of staff and service users.

“That starts with fair pay, secure conditions and the respect care workers deserve.”

Pointing to the union Fight for £15 campaign launched back in 2020, GMB Scotland senior organiser Keir Greenaway called on the government to go even further.

He said: “Our members in social care deserved to be paid £15 an hour six years ago and it is a national disgrace that so many are still waiting to be paid fairly for their crucial work.

“Instead of our political leaders delivering a wage that properly reflects and rewards the experience, skills and commitment of social care workers, they have offered only warm words and empty promises.

“The failure to keep those promises has been abject.

The amendment was defeated by 82 votes to 41.

“These critical workers deserved to be paid at least £15 an hour six years ago.

“They deserve far more now.”

Unison Scotland’s social care lead, Jennifer McCarey said: “We welcome the focus on chronic low pay in social care. This is a skilled workforce providing essential services to some of the most vulnerable people in Scotland.

“Social care pay should be linked to NHS grades so we value every job. It would also mean they would start to receive proper sick pay, maternity and paternity rights.

She added: “We need to protect migrant social care workers in Scotland, the system would collapse without them, they deserve a fair visa system.”