THE Bishop of Carlisle has put his name to a letter calling for reforms to the adult social care sector.

Bishop James Newcome offered his name to the letter from Care England to the Prime Minister, which states that urgent change is needed.

The letter supports calls by the Health and Social Care Select Committee for an extra £7 billion per year, as well as a workforce strategy for the sector.

The Right Reverend, who is the Church of England's lead bishop for health and social care, believed the pandemic has brought the need for change into the spotlight.

Bishop of Carlisle The Right Reverend James Newcome. ..The current bishop is the first to reside in the new Bishops House, Keswick....DAVID HOLLINS. FRIDAY 14th DECEMBER 2018..

Bishop of Carlisle The Right Reverend James Newcome. ..The current bishop is the first to reside in the new Bishop's House, Keswick....DAVID HOLLINS. FRIDAY 14th DECEMBER 2018..

He said: "Several governments have promised reforms for adult social care but this has not yet happened.

"As we begin to move out of the Covid pandemic - and remember the pressures this has placed on all those working in adult social care - so we need to recommit to strategic investment in the finances and work-force of our social care system."

Bishop James is also Co-Chair of the newly-formed Archbishops’ Commission on Re-Imagining Social Care

Care England is a registered charity which represents care providers. The letter, sent to the Prime Minister this week, calls for a "1948 moment" for social care.

It has been signed by 26 others and emphasises the deaths of almost 900 care staff and over 30,000 residents during the pandemic.

Professor Martin Green OBE, Chief Executive of Care England, says:“Many citizens have been so heartened to hear the Prime Minister’s commitment to reform.

"The sector stands ready and willing to support the delivery of this much needed reform agenda. As we come out of the pandemic, if we can develop a clear funding strategy for social care, we can also develop a range of careers that will provide high quality care and support local economic development”.

The letter states that, because the Government has failed to heed calls for a national living wage "over many years", the way some services are commissioned means thousands of care "dedicated, skilled" workers face the prospect of delivering essential care while being paid below the minimum wage.