THE news story, below, about social care workers in Devon receiving a Christmas bonus of £500 each is turning out to be not quite as portrayed, says Teignbridge Council Leader Allan Connett.
Devon County Council managers at County Hall have confirmed the bonus may be paid in weekly installments – and not a one-off cash payment, he says.
Cllr Connett, pictured right, Liberal Democrat opposition leader at Devon County Council, said: ‘The money is also subject to tax and National Insurance, so will be less than the £500 the news release trumpets.
‘At first I thought this was really good news and a real bonus for the social care staff that the county relies on and we need, because they help in the care when people need to leave hospitals.
‘There are so many vacancies across the county, this bonus seemed good news.
‘But it turns out that it is too good to be all true.
‘Checking with County Hall this morning, senior managers have confirmed the bonus payments will be paid when claimed by the employers and the bonus payments to individual workers could be paid weekly, fortnightly, in two installments or a one-off.
‘They’ve also clarified that income tax and National Insurance will be deducted, so it is likely that for many people they will get far less than the headline £500 and more like around £350 or less,’ said Cllr Connett.
The Liberal Democrat leader at County Hall has also asked for confirmation that the new funds will actually be used for bonuses as the news release from County Hall raised some doubt.
Cllr Connett added: ‘County Hall say “care home providers will be expected to ensure that their care staff benefit from the multi-million winter payment” and that “it will be equivalent to about £500 per member of their care staff”.
‘That is casting doubt on what the intention is.
‘Is it £500 per worker or is it money that care home providers can use in different ways?’
‘What should be a good news story this Christmas now appears to be very muddled and social care staff will not know that the cash could possibly be paid weekly or, it seems, used in an entirely different way,’ added Cllr Connett.