Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Mileage Expenses Reimbursement: NHS Community Care Staff

Tuesday 19 July 2022 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Reimbursement rate for NHS community care staff mileage expenses is 56p per mile, dropping to 20p after 3,500 miles.
  • The current rate has not been adjusted since 2014.
  • Government measures such as reducing fuel duty aim to address rising fuel costs.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Rosie Cooper Lab
NHS
Context

The question addresses concerns over the adequacy of mileage expense reimbursement for NHS community care staff, noting significant increases in fuel costs affecting these workers.

Question

What assessment he has made of the adequacy of the rate of reimbursement for mileage expenses for NHS community care staff. The current reimbursement rate is 56p per mile which drops to 20p after 3,500 miles, and this rate hasn't been adjusted since 2014.

Answer from Steve Barclay

Reimbursement of travel costs is covered by NHS terms and conditions agreed jointly with trade unions. The process includes reviewing fuel prices. The 56p rate is higher than HMRC's approved rate but drops to 20p after 3,500 miles. Government measures such as reducing fuel duty are part of the fiscal response.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific assessment of adequacy and future adjustments based on current fuel prices

How: Government Measures Such As Reducing Fuel Duty Are Part Of The Fiscal Response

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Q2 Rosie Cooper Lab
NHS Energy
Context

The question discusses how rising fuel costs affect NHS staff who travel to treat patients in the community, suggesting this could lead to a loss of skilled workers and impact patient care.

Question

Fuel costs have increased by up to 60p per litre since last year. The current reimbursement rate is 56p per mile dropping to 20p after 3,500 miles, not adjusted since 2014. Does the Secretary agree that if this rate does not rise with fuel prices, staff could move to acute sector jobs where they won't face extra costs? This would be a catastrophe for both staff and patients at home.

Answer from Steve Barclay

This is an important issue affecting different parts of the workforce. The 56p rate is higher than HMRC's but drops to 20p after 3,500 miles. Government measures such as reducing fuel duty are part of the fiscal response. There is a review mechanism for NHS specifically involving looking at these issues in the round.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific agreement on potential movement of staff to acute sectors and consequences

How: Government Measures Such As Reducing Fuel Duty Are Part Of The Fiscal Response

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