Calls in parliament to raise the mileage allowance rate for social workers

SASW is campaigning for an increase in the mileage allowance rate for social workers. This week, it was raised in the Scottish Parliament chamber.

On Thursday, Stuart McMillan MSP agreed to use his allocated General Question to highlight the issue with Scottish Ministers directly. 

SASW first engaged with Mr McMillian on this issue in June and took note of his support for our campaign. So when the recent Community Care survey revealing the seriousness of this problem was published, we brought it to his attention. Mr McMillan stated:

"I have previously highlighted in the chamber the impact that such prices have had on social care workers. It is worrying that a new community care survey suggests that a majority of social workers are also out of pocket because mileage allowances are inadequate as a result of rising fuel costs."

You can see the full question and response here.

While this latest coverage is welcome, we still need the Scottish and UK Governments to work together to deliver this much-needed uplift. There is a motion in parliament calling on them to do this. Has your MSP signed it yet? Use our template letter to contact them and demand they do! 

Commenting, SASW National Director, Alison Bavidge said:

“People who need support rely on social workers being able to visit them in their homes. Often people need help to get to meetings and events and their social worker may be the only way for them to get there.  A car is an essential tool for social workers. Rising fuel prices are making it costlier for social workers to work. They are paying the increased costs. That simply isn’t fair or sustainable. It puts financial stress and worry onto social workers when they’re trying to help people, often in difficult circumstances.

“An increase in mileage allowance to reflect higher fuel costs compared to ten years ago is reasonable and justified. Nobody should be of pocket for doing their job. I’m pleased to see Stuart McMillan highlighting this with both Scottish and UK Ministers and hope it leads to a shift in policy.”

If you would like to be kept updated on this campaign or share your experience of how you're being impacted, please contact our Policy Officer on jonny.adamson@basw.co.uk