UNISON Northern Ireland

UNISON AND HEALTH UNIONS GET A RESPONSE. INTERIM MILEAGE ALLOWANCE INCREASE TO CONTINUE FOR 6 MONTHS AND A FURTHER REVIEW.

Tuesday 14 February 2023

UNISON social and domiciliary care workers have been steadfast in their support for the unions' campaign of industrial action to win an inflation busting pay rise. In Northern Ireland our members in media interviews highlighted their frustration with at delays in achieving an improvement. The negotiations at UK level are stalled. 

UNISON joined with other health unions to push for increased funding. The political stalemate however only allows for the DOH budget to be maintained at current levels unless instructed otherwise by the Secretary of State. 

So the extension of the current allowance increase is the next best option and the Department of health has been persuaded to maintain this increase for a further six months.

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH STATEMENT

Increased mileage rate set to continue for HSC staff

The Department of Health has confirmed that Health Trust staff will continue to receive an enhanced mileage rate.

In June 2022, former Health Minister Robin Swann announced an increase to the rate for work-related car travel for Agenda for Change (AfC) staff, including Trust employed domiciliary care workers and district nurses.

The rates previously were 56ppm for the first 3,500 miles, and 20ppm for each mile thereafter. Following the Minister’s decision, the rate for mileage incurred above 3,500 miles increased from 20ppm to 30pmm for an initial six-month period.

In December, mindful of the cost of living pressures on health and social care staff, the Department extended the temporary increase to the secondary mileage rate to the end of March 2023. The Department has now confirmed that this enhanced mileage rate will remain in place for a further six months until 30 September 2023, with a commitment to take a prompt decision on a further six month extension in the event of a continued absence of Ministers.

The Department will also continue to work with Trade Unions to identify options for a Northern Ireland specific approach to mileage for consideration by an incoming Minister.