UNISON
I spend my days driving to around six homes a day ... Fuel-wise I ’ m spending more than what I ’ m getting paid and it ’ s not enough .”
UNISON
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However , Anne , a child health assistant in Magherafelt , Northern Ireland , said the 3,500 mile cap needs to be addressed , as well as the mileage rates .
She says : ‘ I spend my days driving to around six homes a day . Some months I ’ m doing 400 miles , and some over 600 . The mileage calculations run from the tax year , so the first six months are fine . But when I hit December , I ’ ve gone over 3,500 miles and I ’ m onto the lower rate of mileage . Fuel-wise I ’ m spending more than what I ’ m getting paid and it ’ s not enough .’
UNISON ’ s campaign and recommendations
UNISON is campaigning for the government and employers to take urgent action to increase mileage rates . Last month , UNISON hosted an event in Parliament , ahead of a Westminster Hall debate , to present these research findings to MPs .
UNISON ’ s recommendations for government are :
• Increase mileage rates , now , to 63.4p per mile , and commit to a quarterly review and recalculation to coincide with Advisory Fuel Rate calculations – the rates set by government to assist businesses in reimbursing or being reimbursed for fuel costs of company cars .
• Restructure AMAPs to raise the cap from 3,500 to 10,000 miles – and ensure mileage rate tiers are removed in NJC and Agenda for Change terms too .
• Take urgent action on public sector pay and low wages , so that staff are not in such a vulnerable financial situation again .
• Invest in a public sector electric vehicle ( EV ) fleet rollout , ensuring the funding is available to public bodies to offer all grey fleet ( meaning cars that are owned by the employee , but used for work purposes ) drivers the option to use an EV to drive between clients or sites .
• Explore introducing a grey fleet scrappage scheme , similar to the Mayor of London ’ s ultra lower emission zone ( ULEZ ) scheme , that supports low-income drivers to scrap the highest polluting vehicles .
In Hounslow , UNISON secured an increase in car mileage rates to 65p a mile for the first 10,000 miles and 45p thereafter . UNISON Hounslow Local Government Branch Secretary Bill Reed explains how that was achieved .
‘ In May 2022 , petrol prices were rapidly increasing and workers were questioning whether the council would increase rates . We submitted a backdated claim for 55p on behalf of 800 members and , while waiting for the council to respond , workers started submitting mileage claims with the rate we were asking for , which put good pressure on .
‘ The council replied four months later , offering 65p a mile , without backpay , and members accepted . It ’ s made a huge difference to people .’
Mr Reed describes how vital it is to reframe how mileage costs are viewed : ‘ It ’ s not an allowance or a grant , it ’ s a repayment from the council to us , for them using our cars for their business .’
For other branches that want to take matters into their own hands , UNISON has produced a guide on bargaining for mileage rates .
Download the guide at https :// bit . ly / 3L1wmaQ . To join the campaign , ask your MP to take action on mileage at bit . ly / 44I2c3t .
Words JANEY STARLING , adapted from an article in UNISON Magazine .
I spend my days driving to around six homes a day ... Fuel-wise I ’ m spending more than what I ’ m getting paid and it ’ s not enough .”
Protecting you at work
For help and advice at work – or to find out more about UNISON services – please contact your local BAOT / UNISON rep or branch https :// branches . unison . org . uk / or go to www . unison . org . uk / get-help /.
If you need help at work 0800 0857 857 or www . unison . org . uk
September2023 OTnews 13