CARE workers have accused Sheffield Council and its private employers of leaving vulnerable people to die after services were axed in the city at the start of March’s lockdown.

Sheffield City Council had commissioned care operator Shared Lives to provide help for vulnerable adults in the city.

But when the first lockdown took effect, the council shut the service down and the carers were simply told there was no work for them.

The operator had paid the workers the statutory minimum wage of £8.72 an hour for time spent with clients, but only £3.75 an hour for time spent travelling between clients.

Staff received nothing under the government’s furlough scheme because they were “bogus self-employed” workers – and they have since survived on universal credit.

Local campaign group Sheffield Needs a Pay Rise pointed out that Sheffield City Council is accredited with the Living Wage Foundation, which commits it to paying workers at least £9.30 per hour.

One care worker said the vulnerable people they helped had been “left to die.”

Kimberley Levick, a member of Sheffield Needs a Pay Rise, said: “Bogus self-employment is used to mistreat people like me. We provide an essential service in the community. 

“We do not choose our clients and we do not set our own wages.

“In March Sheffield City Council shut the entire service, leaving all the vulnerable people with no support whatsoever. Vulnerable people are being left to die in the middle of this pandemic.

“I’ve been struggling to get by on universal credit. I can’t pay my bills. I have to use a foodbank.” 

Sheffield City Council and Shared Lives were asked for comment.