Is the NHS payment going to all NHS workers or just the COVID frontline?

[Tamingofthehamster]

Because a lot have nhs have had the easiest year ever with ops being cancelled etc, so is it going to be targeted?

Divisive electioneering stunt by a woman under pressure to stop lying on several fronts. She is an absolute low life.

The Government can't give shop workers bonuses as they don't pay them.What other public sector area would people like to give a bonus to?
Home care staff , porters etc all worked through it. Dental staff deserve it too. The PPE dental nurses are required to wear is not comfortable! I've not seen any evidence of this being divisive in the real world. I'm happy for my family and friends who work in care homes and the NHS to receive it.

One of my children has been spat and abused with "I've got the Rona" they have been working in close quarters with people since March they are not getting a bonus it pissed me right off !

@Mrsjayy are they paid by the government?

There were things they could have done such as raising tax free allowance for lower rate taxpayers, giving extra holidays to NHS staff etc that would have spread things out more evenly.

Not sure which half wits thought this was a good idea - really not great at judging the public mood.

I'm fine with it - one of my friends is an intensive care nurse and she doesn't talk about it much but you can tell it's taking a toll. Yes, not all NHS staff are in intensive care but often bonuses and benefits are organisation wide.

I'd prefer bonuses for the NHS than the subsidies for people to eat out over the summer. It's not a high amount and presumably a fair amount will go into local economies as people spend it.

Following this as dh is a manager in a GP surgery. As an Amercan I've been keeping an eye over there. Trump arranged a 1200 dollar payment for all US taxpayers with extra for those with children. Went to all. Looks like there will be another one on the new year as Stimulus 2 was agreed by Biden and Trump.
Could Wur Nicola do that for all Scots taxpayers?
Or would the usual suspects be moaning "no fair the rich are getting it too".

I just think we need to appreciate that this money needs to be paid back at some point so yes, we shouldn’t be handing out random gifts to those who don’t need it and those who haven’t earned it.
As I said, I have no issue with money to those who had to pull out all the stops.

Plenty public services have been under pressure, social workers trying to keep children safe for example! Whilst many NHS workers have had work reduced (not their fault I know). So why just NHS and adult social care staff!
Absolutely a political decision!

@Rosiethepig social workers are included.

Social workers are getting the £500 bonus too.

@Mrsjayy are they paid by the government?

Yeah

The Times front page backs up the accusations of divisive electioneering in regard to the tax ‘plea’. Also Fraser of Allander institute pointing out that there is a billion or so unspent extra money from Westminster - I wonder which war chest that has been secreted away into.

@OOAOML

I'm fine with it - one of my friends is an intensive care nurse and she doesn't talk about it much but you can tell it's taking a toll. Yes, not all NHS staff are in intensive care but often bonuses and benefits are organisation wide.

I'd prefer bonuses for the NHS than the subsidies for people to eat out over the summer. It's not a high amount and presumably a fair amount will go into local economies as people spend it.

I don’t think it’s just the payout that’s being questioned here, although scottish taxpayers are allowed to do that the last time I looked? It’s also the manner of how it’s being announced and the usual ‘let’s do something to pick a fight with Westminster’ that is really at the root of this conversation.

Also, in regards to PPs, the SG sets rates and bands for NSND only. They do not have the power to control exemptions and allowances. They do not collect the tax either, it is reconciled two years later. So the SG are correct in stating the UK Gov are refusing to cancel the tax on the payment.
Unbelievably, the Scottish based Tories are attempting to take the credit for this on social media. That would be an awkward call between Dougie and Boris.

Hadn't realised it was for social workers I thought it was just social care workers.

Must be a kick in the teeth for all the people who have or are soon to lose jobs especially the hospitality sector!

Bedazzled you're annoyed the FM doesn't want the recipients of the bonus to pay tax on it?

I don’t think it does apply to social workers - they aren’t employed by the NHS nor are they adult social care workers so don’t fall into either bracket.

They definitely will get it. Social workers (including those working with children and families in criminal justice) and so they should.

It's detailed on the government website.

I stand corrected - I’m a social worker so it appears I will benefit, still don’t agree with it though.

Must be a kick in the teeth for all the people who have or are soon to lose jobs especially the hospitality sector!

Why? What's the correlation? Many in the hospitality sector and other impacted jobs have (rightly) recieved furlough from the government, and sadly if they are unable to secure work will be eligible to claim government funded benefits. Did you write to supermarkets when they gave staff bonuses, claiming it was unfair and what about other workers? The NHS has been underfunded for years, staff have taken a pay cut in real terms, and new NHS staff have effectively paid to work full time on placements throughout their training; £500 is hardly anything in the scheme of things, and just because it's tax payers money, it's still cheaper than giving an actual payrise, investing in improving conditions, or anything else of actual value.

Other government departments routinely have bonuses as well, why not the NHS in what have been a shitshow. The politics behind it is ridiculous, yes, but heck if it means individuals benefit then why not.

Son had appoint ment in March obviously cancelled but given another appointment end of June, again cancelled. I rang in August as virus low asking for new appointment. Told not until end of October. Again cancelled. Finally got.in mid November but they looked in his mouth.said he needed treatment.but they.could not do it. Stupid to give dentist s bonus. They have done nothing all through pandemic.

@Bejazzled

The Times front page backs up the accusations of divisive electioneering in regard to the tax ‘plea’. Also Fraser of Allander institute pointing out that there is a billion or so unspent extra money from Westminster - I wonder which war chest that has been secreted away into.

That's interesting.

@Backbee a bonus of £500 in a secure job or 80% of your normal wages and then a potential loss of job and having to go through the Universal Credit process... hardly comparable.