Social care workers in Wales will be given an extra £500 payment, the First Minister of Wales announced today (Friday, May 1).
Speaking at the daily Welsh Government press conference, FM Mark Drakeford said the payment provides further recognition for an often “under-valued and overlooked” workforce.
The payment will be available to around 64,000 care home workers and domiciliary care workers.
The money comes from the £40m invested into adult social care services by Welsh Government in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Mr Drakeford said social care workers “are undertaking tasks which involve a high level of intimate personal care, often accepting a greater degree of risk and responsibility”.
“Many of our social care workers are juggling their own personal caring responsibilities with their professional ones.
“I want our social care workforce to know their hard work is both appreciated and recognised. This payment is designed to provide some further recognition of the value we attach to everything they are doing. It recognises this group of people are providing the invisible scaffolding of services, which support both our NHS and our wider society.”
The First Minister urged the UK Government not to tax the extra payment.
The Welsh Government has said it is working with local authorities, trade unions and Care Forum Wales to “finanlise details”, as well as the UK Government’s Department for Work and Pensions to make sure the payment doesn’t affect benefit entitlements.
Caerphilly County Borough Council’s cabinet member for social care and wellbeing, Cllr Carl Cuss, said: “The role that care workers play in supporting our most vulnerable is invaluable. The commitment and dedication shown by them, amidst extremely challenging circumstances, has been astounding. The announcement of this one-off payment comes as welcome news in showing the nation’s gratitude to them.
“The council is currently awaiting further guidance on the detail of the payment but, once received, we will communicate this through our usual channels. However, it is envisaged that the payment will be made direct to carers with details obtained from their employers. There should be no reason for carers to contact the council directly. We expect more information to emerge over the coming days.”
Councillor Colin Mann, leader of the council’s Plaid Cymru group, said: “We’re delighted that the dedication of those care workers who look after the most vulnerable residents in residential care homes and in people’s own homes will be recognised.
“They really have gone the extra mile to care for those in real need during the coronavirus crisis and deserve the thanks of everyone for their devotion. We’re so impressed with their commitment at this difficult time.”
Conservative shadow social care minister, Janet Finch-Saunders AM, also welcomed the announcement, saying: “I have been calling for better support and recognition for the 64,000-odd people working in the social care sector for some time, and it’s great that Welsh Government has listened to my call to reward them.
“However, this really needs to be seen in context of the award made to porters and cleaners at the Dragon’s Heart field hospital in Cardiff. They will be on £12.75 to £13.75 an hour (some £4 to £5 above minimum wage) with the potential for a £2-per-hour bonus on every hour already worked if there for three months. Assuming a rate of £4 per hour over the minimum wage for a 40-hour week, they will receive at least an additional £640 a month.
“So, by comparison, the £500 one-off payment to our wonderful care workers, who do so much for our loved ones day in and day out, doesn’t seem that generous after all.”