Social care workers in Wales are to be given a one-off bonus payment of £500 in recognition of their efforts in helping to tackle the coronavirus crisis.
First Minister Mark Drakeford (pictured) said the payment to every “care home and domiciliary care worker providing care in Wales” will reward staff who are “under-valued and overlooked".
“This group of people, usually women, often not well paid, are providing the invisible scaffolding of services that support both our NHS and our wider society,” he added.
“They are undertaking tasks, which involve a high level of intimate personal care, often accepting a greater degree of risk and responsibility.
"I want our social care workforce to know their hard work is both appreciated and recognised."
Drakeford urged the UK government to not deduct tax or National Insurance from the payments, calling for an exemption in “truly exceptional circumstances".
“In normal circumstances such payments would be subject to tax and benefit deductions and may affect peoples’ entitlements, but I want every penny of this £500 to be in the hands of those for whom it is intended," he added.
Representative body Independent Care Group (ICG) called for the UK government to pay a £500 bonus to care workers in England.
ICG chairman Mike Padgham said: “This is a very generous gesture by the Welsh government and it recognises the amazing courage that social care staff are showing as they look after older and vulnerable people during coronavirus.
“We very much hope that the government will follow suit and provide a bonus for all the social care staff facing the same risks and doing an amazing job here in England."
