Calls for £500 care worker bonus not to be taxed

Kitchen and domestic staff working in care homes will receive the £500 extra payment for social care staff, the Welsh Government has confirmed.

The payment will also be extended to agency staff and nursing staff employed in care homes, as well as personal assistants and domiciliary care workers providing care to people in their own homes.

Plaid Cymru and the Unison union have called for the payment to be tax-free.

First Minister Mark Drakeford said the Welsh Government was continuing to work with the UK Government and HMRC to try to ensure that every penny of the payment reaches people’s pockets.

He said: “It is right that this payment is awarded to – those who play a role in looking after care home residents.

“As well as the important work social care staff are doing in people’s homes and care homes, we know that domestic and kitchen staff are working beyond their normal roles, providing care and friendship to residents during this pandemic.”

All eligible social care staff, including ancillary staff, such as cleaners and kitchen staff; nurses employed in care homes; domiciliary care workers and personal assistants who worked between March 15 and May 31 will receive the £500 extra payment.

Plaid Cymru Senedd Member Delyth Jewell had called for the extra payment to be made to kitchen and domestic staff as well as carers.

The South Wales East member said: “This news is long overdue. Not to include ancillary staff was a blow to care home staff morale.

“Plaid Cymru is very glad that the Welsh Government have listened to our call to extend the £500 bonus payment to all care home staff – as should have been the case from the start.”

The party has now called for the extra payment not to be taxed, a move backed by the Unison union.