Blaenau Gwent MP Nick Smith has called on the UK Government to give care workers in Wales their one-off £500 extra payment in full.
In May, the Welsh Government announced a special one-off £500 payment for those who provide direct care in care homes and domiciliary care in the community. The payment also includes ancillary staff such as cook and cleaners, as well as personal assistants in the community, and nursing staff employed by care homes.
Mr Smith and his Welsh Labour MP colleagues made the case for this money to be made exempt from tax in a letter sent to the Chancellor and Secretary of State for Work and Pensions.
The UK Government has, however, said it won’t make this payment tax-free.
A petition against this decision has now been launched by Welsh Labour.
Mr Smith said: “Every penny of that £500 should go straight into the pockets of our hardworking social care workforce who have done so much for so many during these exceptional times.
“The Government should see sense and support our care workers by making the £500 payment tax free.
“No one who receives this payment should be disadvantaged in any way in respect of their tax status or social security entitlement. All care workers must receive this award in full.
Mr Smith urged his constituents to sign Welsh Labour’s ‘Let our carers keep every penny’ petition.
The petition can be found here

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