'He’s quit on this country': Biden slams Trump administration's coronavirus response while unveiling plan to get Americans back to work

Biden wants to invest $775bn in expanding child and at-home care, both creating jobs and a more flexible workforce

(AFP via Getty Images (AFP via Getty Images)

Joe Biden slammed president Donald Trump's response to the coronavirus pandemic during a speech in which he unveiled plans to mobilise workers specialising in home care and childcare.

"Each day, too many American workers are still out of work and losing hope," the presumptive Democrat candidate said, speaking about the economic impact of the pandemic at an event near Wilmington, Delaware.

He accused the president of having "quit on this country", saying that Mr Trump is no longer working on the pandemic and doesn't realise that the economic crisis cannot be solved without solving the public health crisis.

The announcement on Tuesday is the third part of Mr Biden's 'Build Back Better' economic plan and focuses on investing in caregiving jobs — that he describes as "shovel ready" — enabling millions of people to get back into the workforce.

The plan expands access to long-term care for the elderly, the disabled, and veterans, and improves accessibility and affordability in childcare.

Mr Biden's plan proposes $775bn invested over ten years in caregiving programs intended to ease the financial burden on families, while also creating more jobs for caregivers with higher pay.

The campaign says that the plan will be paid for by “rolling back unproductive and unequal tax breaks for real estate investors with incomes over $400,000”. Steps would also be taken to increase tax compliance for high earners.

It is claimed that the new spending could create 3 million new jobs in the next decade.

This would also free up another 2 million people who live at home as unpaid carers to relatives, allowing them to enter the workforce. Those who continue as informal carers will received a $5,000 tax credit and social security credits.

More funding would be provided to states and local governments to end Medicaid waiting lists for home and community care, while also training new healthcare workers.

Mr Biden also hopes to deliver universal pre-kindergarten education for all three and four-year-olds, as well as tax credits for low and middle-income families to help with childcare costs.

The two pillars of Mr Biden’s economic plan previously announced focussed on domestic manufacturing and infrastructure for green energy. The fourth and final pillar will focus on “advancing racial equity”, according to the campaign.