The Welsh Conservatives’ Shadow Minister for Social Care - Janet Finch-Saunders MS - has today (13 May) urged the Welsh Government to clarify when the promised £500 bonus for social care staff will be received.  

Her question follows confusion by local authorities, who have confirmed that no criteria or guidance has been issued on how this public money will be distributed. In his reply to the question, Vaughan Gething MS moved only to confirm that there were ongoing conversations over the ‘terms and conditions’ of the payment. 

Mrs Finch-Saunders, the Member for Aberconwy, has previously called for the scheme to be extended to support Wales’ ‘selfless army of unpaid carers.’ 

Speaking after her contribution to the virtual plenary session, Janet said: 

“Whilst I was pleased to find out that the Welsh Government listened to my call to reward our hardworking front-line social care staff, Ministers must work harder to confirm how and when this money will be distributed. 

“At a time of considerable pressure on our local authorities, it is wholly unacceptable that confusion still reigns. These bodies deserve clarity and I urge the Welsh Health Minister to ensure that he is keeping councils updated on all developments. 

“Our social care workers do an arduous and emotionally-taxing job. Data released this week has once again hammered home the increased risk posed by COVID-19 to our front-line care givers. They deserve to be rewarded. 

“I also ask the Welsh Government to extend this bonus commitment to ease the burden on our unpaid carers, who lovingly care for their nearest and dearest. 

ENDS