MINISTERS must overhaul the “uncertain” pensions system for care workers to make the sector more attractive as it continues to face a recruitment crisis, Unison warned today.

In a letter to Health Secretary Wes Streeting, the predominantly public-sector union demanded the government respond to concerns surrounding low pensions for social care workers and to consider opting for a collective model.

Low pay, insecure work and fragmented employment patterns are the main reasons why these essential workers are struggling to build a proper retirement pot, the union wrote.

Unison general secretary Andrea Egan said they “dedicate their working lives to supporting others, yet too many face an uncertain retirement.

“The current pension system isn’t designed for the realities of care work. A collective approach would deliver fairer, more secure futures for workers when they get older.

“It would also make the sector more attractive as a career. The government should work with unions to make this a reality.”

Most care workers rely on minimum auto-enrolment and accumulate small pension sums linked to different employers, often leading to holes in their retirement income.

Unison asked the government to consider their plan for a new scheme for the sector, where employers and employees contribute to a collective fund.

Staff, employers and the government will all benefit from such a system, it explained, which has been shown to deliver 30 per cent higher pensions in countries which have implemented it.

The union argued that this increase in pension payments and additional stability could help counter the crisis in recruitment in the sector.

Improved capacity in social care would also ease pressure on the NHS, it said.

The Department for Health and Social Care was contacted for comment.