Wallasey Town Hall

Peter Smith, whose two sons Simon and Christopher are in SIL accommodation, said: “Most providers pay minimum wages but SIL pay above that and keep their staff, giving them the opportunity to develop and have careers. My son was in a place in New Brighton and tried to commit suicide five times and I said ‘enough was enough’. When he went to SIL, there was a massive change.”

The authority claims “the majority” of 26 Wirral providers have agreed to the new rates.

Wirral Council – like other authorities – is moving towards personal budgets for those it has responsibility for, and it is feared the council is pushing through cuts now before the changes come in.

A spokeswoman for Wirral Council said: “Following extensive consultation with a number of businesses which provide care services in April, the council introduced a standard hourly rate to pay for the care people need.

“This was to ensure value for money in a market where providers charged different rates for the same care. A total of 24 of the 26 Wirral providers signed up immediately.

“The council is now meeting with the managers of SIL, their legal advisors and those people who purchase a service from them and hope to reach a resolution soon.”