Labour-led Westminster Council is investing in adult social care to improve pay for staff and make care more affordable for those who need it.

The Council, recently rated “Good” by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and ranked highest in London and second highest in the country, attributes its success partly to previous reforms that increased homecare workers’ pay, which is now always £1.50 per hour above the London Living Wage.

Building on this, the Council will now raise the pay of over 400 personal care assistants employed directly by the resident rather than through an agency. Thanks to an additional £1.4 million investment, their wages will increase by approximately £1.50 per hour above the London Living Wage, ensuring competitive salaries and enabling more residents to employ the right person for them rather than having care provided through an agency commissioned by the Council.

A further £1.2 million will standardise the financial threshold for social care payments across all age groups, benefiting over 460 residents under 65 by allowing them to retain more of their income before paying for care. This reform aims to create a fairer system and may contribute to long-term cost savings by supporting residents’ financial and overall well-being.

Councillor Nafsika Butler, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, said: “I’m delighted that we have been able to invest further in adult social care which will improve the lives of our residents and the staff who care for them. It will encourage more residents to employ carers directly at competitive salaries rather than going through costly care agencies.”