A CHARITY for people with learning disabilities is facing a ‘crisis’ as it could be forced to foot an unexpected £400,000 bill.

The chief executive of Andover and District Mencap (ADM) Chris Dixon has said this new bill - almost a quarter of its yearly turnover - could “massively impact” the services the charity provides.

The bill comes after a government ruling on overnight carers who provide sleep-in support for people with learning disabilities, reinforcing they should be paid at national minimum wage.

Overnight care workers used to be paid a flat fee.

Last year, the taxman said workers were also entitled to six years’ worth of back pay from their employers.

The Royal Mencap Society said this meant the care sector faced a £400m bill nationally and, with enforcement action due to start next month, ADM says it does not have the money to foot its part of the bill.

Mr Dixon said the money for its sleep-in workers came from local authority and government funding.

He said: “From an employee’s position that’s really positive because they should be paid for the work they do.

“However, for organisations, businesses and ourselves, we’re only funded to the level that was below living wage, which has created a shortfall.

“As it stands at the moment, government have said organisations need to fill that gap.

“It’s not just charities, it’s businesses, it’s families, it’s the whole learning disabilities sector.”

Royal Mencap Society and ADM are now paying their sleep-in workers the minimum wage for an overnight shift but added the government must cover any back pay.

Royal Mencap Society and ADM are now paying its sleep-in workers the minimum wage for an overnight shift but added the government must cover any back pay.

Mr Dixon said: "For example, our potential back pay will be in the region of £350,000 to £400,000, which for any charity is significant and will impact our ability to potentially deliver services.

"We don't have that money at the moment.

"It will have a massive impact for the people who have learning difficulties in Andover.

"What I'm keen for the people of Andover to know is it's not just a national situation, it's a local situation too."

Mr Dixon is looking to raise awareness of the situation and stressed he is happy with the government ruling from the workers' perspective.

He also reassured residents plans for a new children's respite centre will "continue as planned."

ADM fully supports Royal Mencap's #StopSleepinCrisis campaign and a petition has been launched.

To sign, visit http://e-activist.com/ea-action/action?ea.client.id=78&ea.campaign.id=74791&ea.tracking.id=web