A quiet crisis is building across the UK’s care sector — not inside hospitals, but on the roads between people’s homes.
For workers like Kevin Brewer, a domiciliary care worker in County Tyrone, the rising cost of fuel is no longer just an inconvenience. It is becoming the deciding factor in whether he can continue working at all.
Driving around 70 miles a day between vulnerable clients, Kevin says the maths simply no longer adds up. He has already had to borrow money just to fill his tank — and fears the moment is approaching where he may have to stop working altogether.
“I thought last week I was going to have to phone up and tell them I couldn’t go,” he said. “I can’t afford to go to work.”
A workforce under pressure
The surge in fuel prices — driven in part by escalating tensions in the Middle East and disruption to oil supplies through the Strait of Hormuz — is hitting workers who rely on their vehicles the hardest.
With around 20% of global oil trade affected, prices have climbed sharply. Petrol has risen from around 124.8p per litre pre-conflict to 154p, while diesel has surged to over 188p in some areas.
For care workers, whose roles depend entirely on travel, the impact is immediate and unavoidable.
Kevin receives just 20p per mile from his employer — far below the 58p per mile available to some public sector staff for the first 4,500 miles. That shortfall is now leaving him out of pocket every single day he works.
And he is not alone.
Industry body Independent Health & Care Providers has warned that rising costs are pushing workers to breaking point, with many now questioning whether they can afford to remain in the profession.
“We cannot afford to lose this workforce”
Care providers are now calling on Department of Health officials to act urgently, warning that failure to support staff could lead to widespread workforce losses.
Their message is stark: without intervention, essential home care services — relied upon by thousands — could begin to unravel.
Home care workers do far more than deliver medical support. They help people leave hospital, maintain independence, and provide vital human contact to those who may otherwise be isolated.
If workers begin to leave in significant numbers, the consequences will extend far beyond the workforce itself.
Kevin sees that risk clearly.
“They need us there and without us they’re stuck as well — where do they turn to?” he said.
Real-life impact inside workers’ homes
The pressure is not just being felt on the road. It is now shaping daily life at home.
Workers are cutting back wherever they can — skipping heating, reducing food spending, and making difficult choices simply to afford the fuel needed to get to work.
Kevin says colleagues are “double layering” clothing indoors rather than turning on heating, trying to stretch already tight budgets.
Others are considering leaving domiciliary care entirely, despite a strong commitment to the role.
“It’s not what they want to do,” he explained. “We’ve got into this role for a reason.”
But with costs rising and support limited, many feel they are running out of options.
Government response — but is it enough?
Stormont ministers have approved a £100 support payment for lower-income households to help with heating costs, but it is not expected to be available until the summer — and many workers, including Kevin, will not qualify.
Communities Minister Gordon Lyons acknowledged the limitations of the support, stating that while efforts are being made, available options are constrained.
Meanwhile, the Department of Health has said it recognises the “significant impact” of fuel volatility and is continuing discussions across government.
For workers on the ground, however, time is a luxury they do not have.
A growing risk to UK workers and communities
This situation highlights a broader issue affecting UK workers — the gap between rising living costs and the financial realities of essential roles.
Domiciliary care is already one of the lowest-paid areas within the health and social care system. Add rising fuel costs into the equation, and the role becomes increasingly unsustainable.
For organisations like The Workers Union, the message is clear: practical, immediate support is needed to ensure workers are not forced out of roles that communities depend on.
Without intervention, this is not just a workforce issue — it is a community crisis in the making.
What happens next?
If fuel prices remain high and mileage support fails to reflect real-world costs, the sector could see:
- Increased staff turnover
- Reduced availability of home care services
- Greater pressure on hospitals and residential care
- Increased isolation for vulnerable individuals
Kevin’s situation is a warning sign — one that reflects a wider reality facing thousands of workers across the UK.
“I love my job,” he said. “I just don’t know how much longer I’m going to be able to do it.”
