Golden Hello

A council has offered £2,000 to new or returning carers in a bid to address staff shortages. Milton Keynes Council said it hoped the "Golden Hello" payment would encourage more people to take jobs within the industry.

New or returning carers would need to work for the council for at least a year and if they left within six months, the £2,000 would need to be repaid.

Councillor Emily Darlington said carers could "build a career" in the town. "We do pay a very good wage," she said, "At Milton Keynes Council the starting wage is £20,000 which is well above the Real Living Wage."