Most care workers are still waiting for their £500 bonus

Andrew RT Davies MS, the Shadow Health Minister, has expressed his concern over a news report that – some five months since it was announced – almost two-thirds of care workers in Wales are still to receive the £500 bonus promised by the First Minister.

Mr Davies said:

“This is simply disgraceful. It was back in May – at the height of pandemic – when the First Minister made his announcement, but still most of our hard-working carers are still waiting for it.

“Really, it’s been a poisoned chalice for the Labour Party.

“While offered with undoubtedly good intentions, it soon became clear that the Labour-led administration had let down thousands of dedicated and tireless care and other workers by failing to consider that the bonus would be subject to tax and deductions for NI contributions.

“Then, in June, it was revealed that some recipients might get as little as £125, because the First Minister failed to check if the bonus might affect in-work benefits.

“An now, five months on, just a third of our care workers have received their bonus. This just adds insult to injury, and is proving to be an painful mistake by the Labour-led Welsh Government, and a very disheartening one for care-sector staff.”