Archbishop Nolan has joined the Kirk Moderator in calling for better pay and recognition for people working in the social care sector.
Launching a declaration of church leaders, the Archbishop and Moderator called for a new appreciation for the dignity of people involved in the care sector many of whom carry out vital life-enhancing work for the elderly and the sick - despite being paid salaries that are at the bottom of the pay scale.
Archbishop Nolan said: “During the pandemic we stood and applauded the staff who risked their lives to care for others. My heart told me that maybe things were changing and we were seeing a significant shift in the attitude of society towards carers, but my head said ‘no, it will be back to the way it was before when this is all over.’ Alas my head was right.
“After World War Two people of vision were determined to ensure that the society that was created would be better than before. That’s how the NHS came into being and new home building programmes provided dignity and shelter for families. After Covid that determination for change just wasn’t there.
“People had been asked to work more and care more during the pandemic, but when it was all over we forgot about them.
“We can’t run a care system on the cheap. Carers are more than just deliverers of tasks and services. They are in relationship with the people they care for, many of whom are dependent on the carer for support and assistance.
“Our plea is not just about pay - it’s about attitudes. If we want our loved ones to have good care when they need it we need to care also for the carers and support them with decent wages.”
Moderator Iain Greenshields backed the Archbishop. He said: “Recruitment and morale of carers are undermined by pay that cannot sustain a family. When people can earn £2.50 per hour more working in a supermarket than they would caring for the vulnerable then something is very wrong.
“This is a matter of justice and the Christian voice has to be heard. We represent 1.5 million Scots and we want our politicians to hear that we are no longer prepared to accept indifference to this problem. We need action now to help those who care to feel valued and be properly supported in the work they do.”