Gwynedd Council is “hypocritical” for paying its own staff £1,700 more a year than they are willing to pay for carers doing the same work in privately-run care homes, according to Care Forum Wales.

CFW, which represents nearly 500 independent providers, criticised Gwynedd Council after the “derisory” fee levels announced by them for the coming year.

CFW chief executive Mary Wimbury said it was an insult to the courageous care workers who had put their lives on the line to protect vulnerable residents during the pandemic.

In Wales, pay rates for carers are effectively determined by local councils who set the level of fees care homes and domiciliary care companies receive.

Gwynedd, along with many other authorities and health boards, use a formula which calculates how much they want to allocate towards all care home costs, including what staff are paid.

As a result, say Care Forum Wales, wage levels have been unfairly suppressed, whilst carers working in council-owned homes in Gwynedd are paid considerably more.

The formula means private care homes have only been allocated enough money to pay half their staff £8.72 an hour, increasing to £8.91 next year, while the other half are on £10.21.

Meanwhile, the lowest rate for a council-run care home is £9.62 an hour for days and £9.81 for nights.

That means council care staff receive £1,731 a year more than their counterparts in the private sector.

Ms Wimbury said “the new rates are derisory and a slap in the face for frontline heroes who have risen magnificently to the challenge of caring for their beloved residents over the past year”.

“At the same time, care providers are facing a double whammy of soaring costs and falling income. Everything has gone up with 50 per cent increases in insurance not uncommon, for less protection and no cover for Covid-related claims.

“Instead of clapping for carers Gwynedd Council are slapping them in the face condemning them to live on low wages which is an absolute scandal.

Aled Davies, Gwynedd Council head of adults, health and wellbeing department said: “Our care fees are set based on a regional methodology which is used consistently as a base for fees across North Wales.

"This takes into account factors including land values, building costs, pay levels, number of hours and home costs (electricity, food, insurance etc).

“We acknowledge more needs to be done to ensure independent care providers can pay higher wages to their staff.

"This is an important matter and one that must be addressed on a national level and we look forward to contributing towards the discussions with Welsh Government, Care Forum Wales and other partners.”