‘Shocking’ delay in payments over social care worker deaths

THE grieving families of social care workers who died of Covid-19 are still unable to access £60,000 bereavement payments.

Despite a promise in July to provide a oneoff death in service benefit to dependants of NHS and care staff, some are still waiting as the process drags on.

Red tape is thought to be holding back the payments, as officials have yet to verify certain claims more than five months after the payment scheme was announced.

Fifteen families have applied for the payment, available after the death of a key worker confirmed or suspected to have been caused by Covid-19.

However, a delay in the Scottish Government registering the scheme with tax authorities last year meant families were denied access to the money.

The hold-up was last night described as ‘truly shocking’.

Scottish Conservative health spokesman Donald Cameron said: ‘ These brave souls have paid the ultimate price in trying to treat and care for people during this pandemic.

‘Getting the £60,000 payment to the loved ones of the deceased must be a priority and the SNP Government urgently need to step up their game.

‘While this financial support can never replace those who have been tragically lost to the virus, it may nevertheless be vital in paying for bills and everyday costs for those so sadly affected.’

The payment is part of the NHS Scotland Coronavirus Life Assurance Scheme and had to be registered with HM Revenue & Customs ( HMRC) to ensure i t was tax-exempt.

On December 8, the Scottish Daily Mail revealed that despite announcing the scheme in July, officials had failed to register it with HMRC, meaning families could not access the vital cash. Yesterday, the

Scottish Government said the registration process was completed on December 9 – with payments now having been made to relatives of NHS staff who have died from coronavirus.

However, officials confirmed that no money has been paid to families of care workers. They said payments are to be made in ‘early January’.

Robert Kilgour, executive chairman of Renaissance Care, said: ‘This was initially announced in July – it is all about the podium soundbite moment and, sadly, much less about the actual frontline delivery.

‘This is, sadly, the Scottish Government on so many things. Why didn’t they organise it properly before announcing it?

‘It is so unfair and stressful on the families involved. The delay in clearing it with HMRC was truly shocking.’

A spokesman for the Scottish Government said: ‘Payments to dependants of health service workers have already been made from the scheme, with social care payments to follow in early January.’