Ellie Ames 14 July 2023

‘Woefully out of date’ mileage rates costing workers thousands

‘Woefully out of date’ mileage rates costing workers thousands image
Image: n_defender / Shutterstock.com.

Public sector staff are being left thousands of pounds out of pocket because ministers have failed to update national mileage rates, according to a new UNISON report.

Research by the union and the RAC found that staff who need to drive for work, including district nurses, care staff, housing officers and local government employees, are up to £6,000 a year worse off because the current 45p rate has not changed in over a decade.

According to the report, HM Revenue and Custom should increase the allowance to 63.4p a mile based on increased motoring costs and inflation.

The financial ‘mileage gap’ means public sector workers are effectively subsidising their employers for their work-related journeys, the report says.

UNISON general secretary Christina McAnea said: ‘Mileage rates are woefully out of date. No one should pay a penalty effectively for doing their job, least of all those providing vital services.

‘Petrol prices have skyrocketed. Care workers, nurses and other frontline employees can barely make their incomes stretch to cover the basics, let alone the costs of using their vehicles for work.

‘The government must tackle low pay now, not threaten to hold public sector wages down. Essential staff shouldn't be out of pocket for going to work. A failure to act now risks worsening the already dire staffing crisis.’

Sign up here to receive our free daily news and jobs bulletin.

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Highly Specialist Clinical Psychologist

Oxfordshire County Council
£62215 - £72293
How about joining The Clinical Team at Oxfordshire County Council in our new Community Family Clinic initiative? Oxford
Recuriter: Oxfordshire County Council

Traffic Management Officer - WMF2114e

Westmorland and Furness Council
£37,035 - £37,938
Are you an experienced and motivated professional looking to take the next step in your traffic management career? Cumbria / Various
Recuriter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Peripatetic Support Assistant

Wakefield Council
£16,415.00 - £16,675.23 Grade 4, 24.5 hours, Permanent
Are you caring, compassionate, and friendly? Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council

Peripatetic Support Assistant

Wakefield Council
£14,070.00 - £14,293.05 Grade 4, 21 hours, Permanent
Are you caring, compassionate, and friendly? Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council

Recruitment Support Officer

Durham County Council
£25,584 to £27,711 p.a. (Grade 5) pay award pending
We are looking for a Recruitment Support Officer to join our team on a temporary basis until 31 March 2026. In this role, you will provide a comprehe Spennymoor
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner