Clwyd West MS Darren Millar has today called for all care home staff to be recognised for their work on the front lines throughout the pandemic and to receive the £1,000 social care worker bonus which was announced by the Welsh Government last week.

The social care worker bonus was announced by the Welsh Government last week as part of its efforts to improve staff retention in the sector and help to enhance pay.

Whilst Darren very much welcomes the scheme, he is concerned that it does not include other key staff in the care sector such as care home kitchen staff, cleaners and caretakers and is therefore calling for the scheme to be extended but the Welsh Government has rejected his calls.

Speaking after raising the matter with the Deputy Minister for Health and Social Services in the Senedd, Darren said:

“While I welcome bonus scheme for the care workforce in Wales it does seem to be grossly unfair that other workers in care homes such as kitchen staff, cleaners, caretakers and maintenance staff are being excluded.

“People working in these posts have gone above and beyond during the pandemic and were very much on the frontlines during the pandemic. We should value them and not overlook their status as an essential part of the care home sector.

“I am disappointed that Welsh Ministers have rejected the extension of the scheme and urge them to reconsider.”