UK social care workers in the voluntary sector are paid almost one third of a train driver's salary, less than half of the average nurse's salary and 100 less per week than a road sweeper, according to the Social Care Employers Consortium (SCEC).

The SCEC claims that the Government pledged to invest more money in social care in 2004, but this has not materialised despite the growing demand for social services.

The voluntary sector employs over 65,000 social care staff but they do not receive the same benefits as public-sector carers.

Claire Smith, chair of SCEC and HRD at Leonard Cheshire Disability, said: "Social care should be seen as a valued and rewarding career, yet because of the way public-sector salaries are structured, refuse collectors earn over £150 more a week than voluntary-sector care workers."

She added: "Voluntary organisations should not be expected to subsidise public services that benefit millions of families across the UK. On behalf of staff and service users, we call on the Government to live up to its promise to address this crisis. It needs to invest more money in social care, reduce unfair competition for staff and raise the status of social care work."