That the Parliament supports an increase to the mileage allowance for social workers and social care staff; understands that most local authorities pay social workers and social care staff the maximum non-taxable rate set by HMRC of 45 pence per mile; further understands that those employed in the private or voluntary sector may receive less than 45 pence per mile; considers that this rate is too low to cover the rising cost of fuel, which has gone up by approximately 30% in the last year alone; understands that social workers and social care staff depend on using their cars to carry out assessments and provide essential support to individuals and families; further understands that social workers and social care staff working in rural and island communities are particularly impacted by the low rate; believes that nobody should be financially penalised for doing their jobs; further believes that a fairer rate would help to recruit and retain social workers and social care staff at a time when the profession urgently needs more capacity to help meet demands, while also valuing the incredible efforts of social workers and social care staff across Scotland and the work they do; urges the Scottish Government to fund local authorities to enable them to uplift the mileage allowance and for the UK Government to raise the non-taxable allowance to 60 pence per mile, and calls on both governments to work together to bring forward these positive changes so that social workers and social care staff in Scotland are better supported to help those who use social work and social care services.
Supported by:
Jeremy Balfour, Sarah Boyack, Miles Briggs, Alexander Burnett, Foysol Choudhury, Sharon Dowey, Pam Duncan-Glancy, Pam Gosal, Rhoda Grant, Daniel Johnson, Monica Lennon, Fulton MacGregor, Michael Marra, Pauline McNeill, Carol Mochan, Paul O'Kane, Emma Roddick, Alex Rowley, Anas Sarwar, Colin Smyth, Paul Sweeney, Mercedes Villalba, Martin Whitfield, Beatrice Wishart
Submitted by: Stuart McMillan, Greenock and Inverclyde, Scottish National Party, Date lodged: Thursday, September 8, 2022
Supported by: Gillian Martin