A COUNCIL has stepped in to give workers at a care provider which went into liquidation their wages.

Cleeve Link, went into liquidation last week, but care workers have continued to work without pay.

The company is based in Cheltenham but offers care to people in their own homes in Moreton as well as across Worcestershire, Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire.

Gloucestershire County Council has agreed to give staff their wages for February after staff expressed their concerns about not being paid.

Councillor Dorcas Binns, cabinet member for Older People, said: “We were told by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) on March 2 that Cleeve Link is closing.

"The new owner took over on February 16 and there was no indication until the 2nd that this was their intention.

"The Cleeve Link carers have carried on working, through uncertain times, and their dedication and commitment means they will continue to provide care this week.

"Gloucestershire County Council has announced to staff in Gloucestershire who hadn’t been paid by Cleeve Link that we would be making a payment to them in the morning and they should now be able to access these funds.

"Each council has put its own arrangements in place."

A whistleblower who works in Evesham said that she, along with many others across the region had not been paid in February including not receiving petrol allowances.

She contacted the Journal before the council's announcement.

She said: "I have contacted the newspaper as a last resort, I do not know what to do.

"I have not been paid for this month, many others are in the same position.

"We work morning to night, sometimes 15 hours a day yet do not get any money, not even petrol money.

"I have tried to get in touch with a liquidator but I cannot get through."

She added that staff have continued to work despite the liquidation, as they felt that they could not let down those that they need to care for.

The county council said it was working with partners to continue care.

A 24 hour telephone number for queries from worried employees and benefices is still available 01452 887689.

Cleeve Link was not available for comment.