We welcome one-off payment for Welsh social care workers

We welcome the recent (May, 2020) announcement from the Welsh government of a £500 one-off bonus payment for social care workers.

Social care workers

First Minister, Mark Drakeford announced the bonus as part of a move to show staff in the sector that their hard work is appreciated and recognised during the coronavirus pandemic.

Since the coronavirus pandemic people have had their eyes opened to the exceptional, life-saving work social care workers carry out to protect the most vulnerable in our society and to see this recognised by the Welsh government in the form of a £500 bonus for social care workers is absolutely fantastic.

We already know how amazing our care staff are and we reward them wherever we can, but at the moment we are facing huge PPE costs, so for the government to step in and thank everyone working on the frontline at the moment, is a huge help for all.

We hope that the rest of the UK will follow suit. It is great to see carers getting the recognition they deserve. They have all also felt thoroughly appreciated during the Thursday night clap for carers and NHS workers and we feel this newfound appreciation will continue once the pandemic is over too.

The Welsh government confirmed it was working with local authorities, which commission social care services in Wales, and with trade unions and Care Forum Wales, to finalise the small print.

It has also said that the payment will also apply to people on zero hours contracts.

The first minister has also called on the UK Government not to tax the extra payment, enabling social care workers to keep the full amount.