Unison members demanded an urgent review of mileage allowances at their local government conference in Bournemouth yesterday, in the face of the huge increases in fuel prices which are having a "devastating effect" on people's disposable incomes. They argued the basic tax-free rate of 40p a mile, which hasn't risen since 2002, no longer covers the true costs of a journey - e.g. wear and tear and insurance, in addition to fuel.

The doubling in oil prices in the last year has triggered a leap in forecourt prices, with UK petrol now averaging at £1.17 a litre. The hike in prices has prompted protests from lorry and taxi drivers across the UK, calling on the government to suspend the proposed 2p increase in fuel duty.

I'm interested to know what impact this is having on social care workers, particularly those in the domiciliary care sector, many of whom survive on hourly rates which are barely higher than the minimum wage of £5.52 and also use their own vehicles to visit clients in different areas. Fuel is just one factor in the alarming rate of inflation in the UK - rapidly rising food, utility and housing costs are also having a major impact.

The Unison members who use their own vehicles for work purposes say they are subsidising their employers' business. What do you think? And what's the solution?

I am finding my self increasingly out of pocket with the rising fuel prices. I do not beloieve the current 40 p allowance covers my weekly costs. This needs to be increased along with our pay. Perhaps Social Workers should consider refusing to use our cars for work purposes without an increase in the allowance. This should remain tax free as it is not a perk it is mearly coviring our expencess to allow us to carry out the work of our employers.

David

Have your say by signing the petition for a by government increased milage allowance from currenlty 40p to at least 60p per mile.

Click on link to sign:

http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/mileage-rate/

Thanks!

 Bjorn

My authority only pays lump sum rates and mileage rates to a maximum of 999c: it's not bad enough that the costs don't cover even the cost a running those small engines, but those with larger engines, lose out even more and the union is  quite indifferent to it, which hasn't stopped them urging us all out on strike for better pay, despite the low turnout.

Unison can naff off, frankly. 

I bought a Honda Accord 1800cc engine car about 6 years back and used this for work.  At that time I saw a set of tables in a car magazine that gave the true cost then of running a care per mile.  This included petrol, oil, typical servicing costs and depreciation. I'm sure these tables are still produced today when costs are so much higher than they were then.  My car's cost to run per mile was then 72p factoring in all the above and from memory litre of petrol was about 68p at the time.

So many jobs today require as a necessity a car driver and owner.  So why dont employers pay the real cost per mile in accordance with these figures?  If they dont then the fact is that car owner drivers are subsidising their employer.  An increase to 60p per mile, while this seems a massive increase from 40p per mile, would still reveal that car owning employees, whether in local govt or not, are still subsidising their employers.  Isn't it far more equitable for allowances (lump sums etc) to be abolished and a transparent payment per mile given for each vehicle by councils and other employees.  Obviously, a sensible upper limit per mile can be imposed to prevent staff using 'gas-guzzling' cars but that upper limit needs to be far higher than 60p per mile so that it reflects the true cost of employees providing a service for their employers

 I am getting a bit concerned about my next placement which begins in Jan 09. As social work students we  get a lump sum as part of our bursary which is to cover travelling whilst on placement. the annoying part is that everyone gets the same amount whether they have to travel far or not and i know that it is not going up in line with the fuel hikes. also as we live in a very rural area we can cover up to 200 miles a week and i dont know how i will be able to afford this.

My authority only pays the bottom rate as well. I am still expected, however, to help young people move placements, and carers invariably ask me whether my car is big enough. I heard a parent complain that her child was moved  a long distance in a little Ford KA - but this is a bigger car than what we are expected to use judging by the mileage rate. If I refuse to use my car I am in breach of contract, which clearly says "essential car user". However, when local authorities advertise jobs, they never say the mileage rate or their policy on paying overtime.

I get 34p a mile for my 1.6 car, with a £753 annual allowance. With rises in petrol prices, tax, insurance and maintenance fees (not to mention depreciation etc), I'm heavily out of pocket by subsidising my employer. If I didn't have to have a car for work, I wouldn't have my car. It's about time Unison spoke out about this issue. If the situation continues, I'll end up using my union subscription fees to contribute towards the running and upkeep of my car!!!

To be fair to them, I think Unison have been speaking out about fuel prices. We did a story about it last week -  apparently staff in health have got a better deal

Keith, have you raised it with your branch and asked them to take it on?