Former care minister Paul Burstow has urged councils to give home care workers key worker status and pay the Living Wage, as part of a raft of measures aimed at boosting levels of professionalism in the sector.

The recommendation is contained in a report 'Key to Care' issued today by think-tank the Local Government Information Unit, which argues care workers' poor status – the result of council budget cuts and poor employment practices by care agencies – has led to employee exploitation, high staff turnover and poor quality care.

According to the Burstow Commission on the Future of the Home Care Workforce, 60% of home care workers are on controversial zero-hours contracts, up to 220,000 earn less than the minimum wage and annual staff turnover of 20% is more than twice the national average.