Damien Moore MP calls on Government to introduce free car parking for Social Care Workers

MEMBER of Parliament for Southport, Damien Moore, has called on the Government to introduce free car parking for Social Care Workers who are on duty and making home visits.

This follows conversations with his constituents working in social care, who have explained to him how charges and fines imposed by Sefton Council have increased the pressure they are under, and have made it harder to carry out their vital care.

Mr Moore previously wrote to the Government to raise this issue, and to ask them to compel Sefton through ring fenced funds to introduce the scheme. Subsequently, Mr Moore was delighted when the Health Secretary subsequently announced that free car parking for Social Care Workers would be implemented nationwide, albeit for a time limited period.

Since the Covid measure came to an end, Mr Moore has again been pushing for this scheme to be introduced nationwide. Building on research from Engage Britain, which shows the extremely high levels of support, Mr Moore hosted a debate in Parliament to call for increased cross party support for the issue.

In his debate, which was granted after he petitioned the Backbench Business Committee, Mr Moore called on the Government:- "to introduce a nationwide, standardised Green Badge system, similar to the Blue Badge, for Social Care Workers on duty and making care visits. This should be nationally recognised, with eligibility set at a national level. It should be available for all care workers that travel to provide care in clients' homes. Care workers should be the permit holders. And, in keeping with the efficiency this will introduce, there should be a simple, standardised application and issuing service."

Mr Moore will continue to call on Sefton Council and on the Government to do what is necessary to support our care workers, and ensure that vulnerable constituents in Southport are able to get the care they need and deserve.

Damien Moore, Member of Parliament for Southport, said:- "I have called in Parliament for the Government to introduce a nationwide, standardised Green Badge system enabling free car parking for Social Care Workers on duty and making visits. This follows conversations with my constituents working in social care, as it is completely unacceptable that many of them are forced by Sefton Council to pay high fees or face fines for parking near the homes of their clients. This not only creates unnecessary stress for the workers, but it also puts a strain on the crucial care services that many vulnerable people depend on. Our carers deserve our recognition and support for the vital work they do, and we must do everything we can to ensure that they can carry out their duties without unnecessary obstacles, and so I will continue to stand up for them."

New UK law to boost seafarer pay

THOUSANDS of seafarers regularly entering UK waters should enjoy better pay protections, as the Government continues to boost rights and working conditions whilst preventing firms from using legal loopholes to pay low wages. The Seafarers' Wages Act received Royal Assent came tpo pass on:- Thursday, 23 March 2023 and is now law.

A key strand of the Government's 9 point plan for Seafarers, the new law is designed to protect those working on vessels operating an international service from being paid less than the National Minimum Wage.

The law change will also require Authorities to charge operators of vessels who don't provide evidence they're paying their seafarers the equivalent to National Minimum Wage, and to refuse harbour access to those who continue to fail to comply.

In 2022, P&O Ferries shamelessly sacked nearly 800 staff without notice or consultation. The UK Government has acted swiftly to progress its 9 point plan in response to this disgraceful behaviour and remains committed to seafarers, as a priority, both domestically and internationally.

Transport Secretary Mark Harper said:- "Our maritime sector is world leading. That's down to the thousands of hardworking seafarers working tirelessly to maintain supply chains and transport passengers safely across our waters. These workers deserve a fair wage and I'm therefore delighted to see our Seafarers' Wages Act become law, helping improve pay and protect seafarers from exploitation."

The Government continues to engage with the UK's near European neighbours to protect seafarers' welfare and pay and explore the creation of minimum wage equivalent corridors in our respective territorial waters.

Earlier this month, during the UK-France summit in Paris, the Transport Secretary met his French counterpart Clément Beaune, with both nations pledging to continue working together to improve conditions for those working in the Channel and to protect them from exploitation.

The Government is also taking action against rogue employers using controversial:- 'fire and rehire' practices, consulting on plans for a Statutory Code of Practice.