By Mike Padgham
A FEW days ago I had the privilege of standing alongside countless social care providers in London, united in a cause that affects not only those of us in the industry but the very people we serve.
We marched, we lobbied, and we made our voices heard, urging the government to reconsider its decision to impose an increase in employer National Insurance contributions on the already strained social care sector.
Our message was clear: this policy is not just a financial burden—it is a direct threat to the quality and sustainability of care across the country. At a time when our sector is already grappling with staff shortages, rising costs, and increasing demand, an added financial strain will only exacerbate the crisis.
We stood in solidarity, advocating not for ourselves, but for the carers, the vulnerable, and the countless families who rely on a well-funded and stable social care system.
And yet, despite our efforts, the government chose to ignore our pleas. The legislation was approved, cementing yet another challenge for a sector that has long been neglected. The decision was met with disappointment, frustration, and anger—but not defeat.
A special mention must go to Providers Unite, who did a fantastic job in organizing and amplifying our voices, and to Nadra Ahmed, whose leadership and advocacy continue to inspire those fighting for a fairer system. Their efforts played a crucial role in ensuring that our concerns were heard, even if the government refused to listen.
As chair of the Independent Care Group I was proud to stand alongside my son, Aaron Padgham, and fellow ICG board members Sue Cawthray and Lizzie Hancock, all of whom supported this vital cause.
Our group, like so many others in the sector, knows firsthand the devastating impact this decision will have. We were there not just as campaigners, but as representatives of the thousands of providers who work tirelessly to deliver care in an underfunded and often overlooked system.
If this demonstration proved anything, it is that there is power in our collective voice. The turnout, the passion, and the determination of those who took part were a testament to the resilience of the social care sector. We are not backing down. The fight for fair funding, for recognition, and for the respect our industry deserves is far from over.
History has shown that persistent advocacy can bring change. We must continue to lobby, to campaign, and to push this issue to the forefront of political debate. The government may have turned its back on us this time, but we will not let them ignore the crisis that continues to unfold in social care.
The fight goes on.