Scott believes Care Workers deserve fair pay and backs Unison's Fair Pay campaign.

It's been well documented my passion for ensuring that those who need care get the best possible service in Northumberland.

To provide good care the staff must be caring and professional. I have visited Care and Nursing Homes across Northumberland and we have some wonderful facilities and passionate and caring staff. Most Carehomes are part of a chain of some kind, these companies drive to provide care but also make a profit from it.

My concern is those people who work as carers, those invaluable people who we trust our loved ones with, are often themselves not cared for or valued.

The skills required of them to work with older people often with challenging behaviour or requiring support with the most personal of care needs means they should be respected and paid sufficiently which, in my view is more that the minimum wage.

I wonder how does the average state paid hourly rate goes from £24ph down to £7.20ph for staff? Yes overheads and other costs must come from that but surly, the staff should be the highest percentage of that money.

This is true not only for carers working in Care and Nursing Homes but also out in the community visiting vulnerable people.

The living wage is important too, surly care workers should at least receive the Living Wage. These are people who give their all and care for our elderly and those with additional needs.

I believe we should be putting this issue high on the agenda fair pay for carers, who in the main, do a wonderful job.

While I can't directly influence what companies pay staff what we can do is lobby providers who engage with local government for contracts and set out clear expectations.

I am proud the trade union I am part of Unison has led on this campaign.

Leading the way to highlight this issue but also challenge organisations.

I will contribute to support the campaign and do all I can.