GMB Union investigation shows millions in carer thank you payments given to staff earning more than £40,000
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
MORE than £3 million in carer thank you payments were given to staff earning more than £40,000 in Scotland, a trade union investigation has revealed.
The one-off £500 payments were introduced in November 2020 as a thank you to care workers for their efforts during the coronavirus pandemic.
However, figures revealed by a Freedom of Information request submitted by GMB Union have sparked a backlash. They showed that of the 38,609 recipients, 5890 earn over £40,000.
A total of 67 directors and heads of service, some of the highest earners, were also paid out as part of the Scottish Government backed initiative.
In Moray, 1031 staff members received the payment. That saw 72 people who earn £40,000 or more receive the payment with one chief officer grade employee, a designation for the most senior of managers, also benefitting.
Keir Greenaway, GMB Senior Organiser, said: "Our members are furious. These payments were meant to be an acknowledgement for those putting their lives on the line during the pandemic.
"Instead millions of pounds of public money has been used to give a bonus to well-paid staff who weren't on the frontline of the pandemic response.
"We had very senior managers, often working from home, getting thank you payments whilst our members were out risking everything, struggling with poor or none-existent PPE to keep the country moving.
"It's time the Scottish Government fund the key workers they appear to have forgotten about - refuse collectors, cleaners, school staff, rather than waste money feathering the nests of the top brass."
Moray Council made the payments on behalf of the Scottish Government and had no power in the selection process.
A spokesperson for Moray Council added: "The payments to eligible health and social care staff, in recognition of their response to the pandemic, were made in line with Scottish Government guidance and not subject to local decision making."
