500 bonus

Since the start of the pandemic, a total of 151,548 people in scotland have returned a positive COVID-19 test and 4,969 had died within 28 days of contracting the virus.

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How's the union working for you? Sturgeon funds £500 NHS bonus with UK treasury cash

NICOLA STURGEON'S plan to give NHS workers a £500 bonus is being funded by handouts from the westminster government, it has emerged.

Nicola sturgeon says she will be 'reviewing travel restrictions'

The SNP leader has pledged to award NHS staff and social care workers a one-off tax-free bonus of £500 as a “thank you” payment for their hard work during the coronavirus pandemic the first minister made the announcement at the SNP virtual conference last november and said the payment would form part of a £180million package to benefit over 300,000 staff, including nurses, porters and residential care workers.

But, the grand plan by the SNP – who want to break-up the union – is being funded by an emergency grant by the UK treasury.

Last autumn, westminster provided the scottish government with an extra £8.2billion on top of an annual payment made via the barnett formula block grant.

Former labour MSP and GP dr richard simpson asked the scottish government where the money for the NHS bonus would be coming from and holyrood confirmed it was from the UK treasury grant.

A scottish government spokesman said: “we have been provided with £8.2billion of covid consequential support, which is allocated in scotland according to need.

Nicola sturgeon announced plans to hand NHS workers a £500 bonus (image: GETTY)

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NHS staff are now treating more patients with coronavirus than the first wave last april (image: GETTY)

“the non-consolidated bonus has been funded from these consequentials via the overarching health allocation.

“necessary funding is being made available to NHS boards.”

Scottish tory shadow health secretary donald cameron hit out at the SNP for initially failing to reveal where the funds would be coming from.

Mr cameron claimed the financial gesture from the SNP was a political move and says the “stunt completely backfired”.

Nicola sturgeon announced the policy at the SNP virtual conference (image: GETTY)

He said: “nicola sturgeon tried to play politics with this payment and her stunt completely backfired.

“at long last, the scottish government have admitted our heroic NHS workers will be getting this money thanks to the UK government’s huge increases in spending.”

Speaking at the SNP conference in the winter, ms sturgeon said the clap for carers events “was never enough”.

She explained appreciation for NHS workers must be "shown in a more tangible way" and said £500 payment would be processed before the end of the financial year in april.

Nicola sturgeon has urged people to stay at home (image: GETTY)

Outlining the bonus payment, ms sturgeon said: “there are no strings attached.

“of course a payment like this can never come close to expressing our full admiration for those who have cared for us so heroically.

"but to our health and care workers, it is a demonstration of what we collectively owe you - and a heartfelt thank you for the sacrifices you have made."

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A political profile of first minister nicola sturgeon (image: EXPRESS)

At a coronavirus briefing this afternoon, ms sturgeon confirmed a further 1,782 positive COVID-19 cases and one further deaths has been recorded in the past 24 hours in scotland.

Since the start of the pandemic, a total of 151,548 people in scotland have returned a positive COVID-19 test and 4,969 had died within 28 days of contracting the virus.

The first minister reiterated the message for people to “stay at home” and warned scotland is now at the “most perilous and serious position since the start of the pandemic”.

Nicola sturgeon's £500 NHS bonus is being funded by UK government covid grant

While highly paid doctors and health service managers will pick up the bonus, thousands of low-paid frontline workers won’t receive a penny

Nicola sturgeon’s £500 bonus for NHS workers is being funded from an emergency extra health grant provided by the UK government to tackle covid-19.

The first minister unveiled the £180million pledge at the SNP’s virtual party conference in november but has faced a backlash.

While highly paid doctors and health service managers will pick up the bonus, thousands of low-paid frontline workers won’t receive a penny.

Former labour MSP and GP dr richard simpson asked where the cash was coming from and which services would be cut as a result.

The sunday mail can now reveal the money is coming from an emergency boost to scotland’s barnett formula block grant from westminster.

In response to a freedom of information request, the scottish government admitted: “we have been provided with £8.2billion of covid consequential support, which is allocated in scotland according to need.

“the non-consolidated bonus has been funded from these consequentials via the overarching health allocation. Necessary funding is being made available to NHS boards.”

Refuse collectors, school cleaners and pupil support staff are among those who will not get a bonus, despite risking their lives in the pandemic.

Health workers to get £500 bonus in new year in scotland

Health and social care staff who worked through the coronavirus pandemic in scotland are set to receive a £500 thank you bonus in the new year.

It was revealed health workers will begin to receive their bonus from february 2021, and social care employees will be paid theirs from march.

First minister nicola sturgeon initially announced the thank you payment a few weeks ago, but more details were released yesterday.

Scottish health secretary jeane freeman said: ‘our colleagues across health and social care have gone above and beyond to deliver much needed care to people under incredibly difficult circumstances – I am hugely grateful for their hard work, resilience and dedication.

‘this thank you payment recognises the debt we all owe those who have been – and continue to be – on the very front line of this crisis, helping to save lives and to protect us all.

‘thank you for all you are doing to support the services that make a significant difference to people’s lives across scotland.’

Around 300,000 people will benefit from the £500 bonus. They will receive it through their normal payroll system.

Ms sturgeon said there were ‘no strings attached’ to the payment at the SNP virtual party conference on november 30.

‘back in the spring, at the height of the first wave of covid-19, many of us publicly – and often loudly – showed our appreciation for the work our NHS and social care staff were doing,’ she said.

‘the applause was important, but it was never enough. Our appreciation must be shown in a more tangible way.

‘those who have worked in our hospitals and care homes – at the sharpest end of the covid trauma – deserve recognition now.

‘so I can announce today that, on behalf of us all, the scottish government will give every full time NHS and social care worker £500 as a one-off thank you payment for their extraordinary service in this toughest of years. Those who work part time will get a proportionate share.

‘the money will be paid in this financial year and it will be separate from any negotiations about pay for the longer term. There are no strings attached.

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‘of course, a payment like this can never come close to expressing our full admiration for those who have cared for us so heroically. But to our health and care workers, it is a demonstration of what we collectively owe you – and a heartfelt thank you for the sacrifices you have made.’

She added the scottish government is in the process of negotiating a new pay deal for staff.

It is thought the policy will cost taxpayers in scotland around £180 million.

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Payment dates announced for NHS £500 bonus in scotland – and it can be split to avoid universal credit hammering

DATES have been confirmed for £500 "thank you" bonuses for NHS staff - and it can be split to avoid impacting universal credit payments.

Health and social care staff who are eligible for the cash boost will have the money in their bank within the next three months.

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Health workers will begin receiving their payment from february 2021 and payments to social care staff will start in march 2021.

The bonus will be paid through health and social care workers' normal payroll system.

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And employers will be asked to offer the payment in three-month instalments to "minimise any impact" on universal credit awards.

But staff can receive it in one lump sum.

Speaking today, health secretary jeane freeman said: “our colleagues across health and social care have gone above and beyond to deliver much needed care to people under incredibly difficult circumstances – I am hugely grateful for their hard work, resilience and dedication.

“this thank you payment recognises the debt we all owe those who have been – and continue to be – on the very front line of this crisis, helping to save lives and to protect us all.

“thank you for all you are doing to support the services that make a significant difference to people’s lives across scotland.”

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GMB scotland, unison scotland and the educational institute of scotland (EIS) want the scottish government to extend the payment to council staff.

This would include refuse collectors, school cleaners and pupil support workers.

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Scots health and care workers will receive £500 'thank you' bonus in new year

Further details have been announced regarding the thank you payment for health and care workers

Health and social care staff who are eligible for the £500 thank you payment will receive it in the new year, it was announced today.

Staff will begin receiving their bonus from february 2021 and payments to social care staff will start in march 2021.

Payments will be made to health and social care staff through their normal payroll system.

Nicola sturgeon announced details of the one-off payment during her keynote speech to the SNP’s virtual party conference on november 30.

The first minister said it is a “thank you” to NHS and social care staff for their efforts during the coronavirus pandemic.

Around 300,000 people will benefit from the £500 bonus.

Health secretary jeane freeman said today: “our colleagues across health and social care have gone above and beyond to deliver much needed care to people under incredibly difficult circumstances – I am hugely grateful for their hard work, resilience and dedication.

“this thank you payment recognises the debt we all owe those who have been – and continue to be – on the very front line of this crisis, helping to save lives and to protect us all.

“thank you for all you are doing to support the services that make a significant difference to people’s lives across scotland.”

It is believed that the policy will cost scots taxpayers around £180m.

The pro-rated payment of £500 will be made ‘as soon as is practicable’ to all NHS and social care workers employed since march 17 this year.

It will also include staff who have had to shield or have since retired from that date.

Sturgeon said that the payment will come with “no strings attached” as the SNP leader called for the UK government to ensure the payment is tax free.

People on universal credit may get £500 bonus payment

Rishi sunak is drawing up the plans for a one-off handout

People claiming universal credit and other benefits look set to get a £500 bonus, according to reports.

The chancellor of the exchequer rishi sunak is drawing up plans and could soon announce the one-off payment for six million people, according to the times.

The payment comes as the government is to debate and vote on universal credit on monday.

An uplift in the benefits which is worth £20 a week - or £1,000 a year - is due to end in april.

The government has held a meeting to discuss what to do about ending the uplift.

The £500 payment is seen as part of the solution, according to the times.

There are fears many more people may begin to claim universal credit when the furlough scheme ends in march.

Changes to furlough and universal credit could be announced in the budget on march 3.

Experts have called for the government to extend the period of the £20 per week uplift.

Torsten bell, chief executive of the resolution foundation think tank, told the times: “the minimum the government should do is extend the uplift for another year but the truth is we need a permanently higher basic level of protection.”

Labour will use its debate in the commons on monday to force a vote on plans to end the temporary increase to the benefit, which was introduced by rishi sunak in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Shadow work and pensions secretary jonathan reynolds said: “boris johnson’s decision to cut universal credit will hit millions of families who are already struggling to get by.

“there cannot be another repeat of the government’s indecision and mismanagement of the free school meals scandal.

“the government must put families first during this lockdown and act now instead of waiting until the last minute.

“if ministers refuse, conservative mps have the opportunity to vote with labour and give families the support they need to get through this pandemic.”

Labour highlighted figures from the joseph rowntree foundation which warned that 200,000 children could be pushed into poverty by the changes.

The motion labour will put to the commons on monday will state: “that this house believes that the government should stop the planned cut in universal credit and working tax credit in april and give certainty today to the six million families for whom it is worth an extra £1,000 a year.”

A session of the all-party parliamentary group (APPG) on poverty on thursday heard that the “lifeline” of the uplift should not only be extended past march but increased.

Baroness ruth lister told the group that there are “rumours” the chancellor may extend the uplift but then freeze universal credit payments until inflation “catches up” with it.

Francesca maddison, policy and partnerships officer at the joseph rowntree foundation, said this would not be “good enough”.

She said: “our position is I’m sure probably shared by a lot of people, it will be a retrograde step to yet again break the principle that social security support at the very least keep up with the rising costs of living for people… we need to really think about the fact that anything other than £20 uplift being preserved and extended to legacy benefits, and with the usual CPI (consumer price inflation) uplift, would not be… good enough and it’s not what we’re asking for today.”

The APPG also heard evidence that, if the uplift is not extended, an extra 224,000 households, including 229,000 children, will be unable to meet their essential costs.

The policy in practice social policy analytics company said larger families and the self-employed would be particularly affected if the uplift is removed.

The £20 boost must also be extended to people receiving legacy benefits, the APPG heard.

Michelle, a single parent receiving legacy benefits, said she had been forced to take out credit to afford food, water, electricity, heating and shoes.

She has been advised that, if she were to move to universal credit, she would have to prepare for several weeks without income, which “would leave us teetering on the brink of a financial domino effect”.

“I cannot, as a responsible mother, take that risk,” she added.

Asked what difference being able to receive the increase would make, she said: “ultimately, the £20 uplift would go directly towards the health and prospects of a generation of children – my children – who have so much potential, resilience, imagination and compassion due to their circumstances and the times we live in.

“and all we need to do is to support their parents to get those children to a point where they can build a good life for themselves.

“this will not happen if, for the sake of £20, they are hungry or cold or their needs are not met. The £20 uplift is the foundation of hope for children.”

Shirley widdop, a disabled parent who is also on legacy benefits, said she is “dismayed” and “bemused” as to why the uplift was not distributed equally to all benefit recipients.

She noted that the increase has not always had a decisive impact on families experiencing hardship, adding: “therefore, it is vital that chancellor rishi sunak preserves and considers increasing the £20 per week uprate in april. Make it permanent, given that we’ve now entered our third lockdown.

“he needs to extend it to include all of those that remain on legacy benefits – it would be the most compassionate, equitable and right thing to do.”

A government spokesman said: “we are committed to supporting the lowest-paid families through the pandemic and beyond to ensure that nobody is left behind.

“that’s why we’ve targeted our support to those most in need by raising the living wage, spending hundreds of billions to safeguard jobs, boosting welfare support by billions and introducing the £170 million covid winter grant scheme to help children and families stay warm and well-fed during the coldest months.”

Scottish NHS staff to start receiving £500 thank you bonus in the new year

Nicola sturgeon announced the bonus last month

NHS staff in scotland are to start receiving their £500 thank you payments in the new year.

Announced by the first minister at the end of november, the bonus will be paid to eligible health and social care workers.

Health staff will begin receiving their payment from february 2021 and payments to social care staff will start in march 2021.

The bonus will be distributed through their normal payroll system. The relevant pay circular has been issued to NHS boards, for social care a new payment mechanism is required, with scottish ministers and social care partners working to set this up.

Employers will be asked to offer the payment in instalments over three months to minimise any impact on universal credit awards. The ability to exempt these payments from benefit calculations is not within the current powers of the scottish government and sit with the UK department for work and pensions.

Health secretary jeane freeman said: “our colleagues across health and social care have gone above and beyond to deliver much needed care to people under incredibly difficult circumstances – I am hugely grateful for their hard work, resilience and dedication.