Dozens of care workers throughout the Welshpool area will have to pay tax on their Covid-19 bonus awarded by the Welsh Government in recognition for their hard work during these tough times.
Care workers have been at the frontline of the fight against the killer virus, and the deserved bonus was announced on May 1 by First Minister, Mark Drakeford.
At the time, the Government stated: “The First Minister has called on the UK Government not to tax the extra payment, enabling social care workers to keep the full amount. The Welsh Government is also working with the Department for Work and Pensions to make sure it does not impact on people’s benefit entitlements.”
However, it seems that this will not be the case with the Treasury in London saying in the national media that the payment is not exempt from tax because ‘it is made in connection with employment’.
Now, GMB, the union for social care staff, is calling for the Westminster Government to reconsider exempting the payment.
They are calling on the Welsh Government to step in and ensure that care staff receive the full recognition they were promised.
Kelly Andrews, GMB Social Care Lead, said: “This is a real slap for our carers. This payment was a thank you in recognition to workforce, but it seems as though the Chancellor is determined to pick their pockets to take a share for himself.
“Although the country is no longer clapping for carers, we cannot forget the hard work, dedication and sacrifice that this workforce has made over the Covid-19 crisis. Social care is a highly skilled workforce and deserve so much more than this.”