Home Care Workers Face Mileage Cost Challenges Amid Rising Fuel Prices

Home care workers in the UK are experiencing significant financial strain due to rising fuel costs, with petrol prices increasing by 26.7p per litre since the onset of the Iran war in February. Workers like Amanda Nottingham drive between 100-300 miles weekly and report monthly fuel expenses of up to £400. Current compensation for mileage is around 35p per mile, which does not cover the full costs of fueling their vehicles. A recent announcement raised tax-free mileage rates to 55p per mile, but many care firms find it difficult to pay at that rate due to insufficient funding from councils and NHS boards, which only average £24 per hour for services while the minimum needed is £34.42.