The following is an update from Scottish Government:
Update on payment to thank health and social care staff.
Health and social care staff who are eligible for the £500 thank you payment will begin to receive it in the new year.
Announced by the First Minister at the end of November, health workers will begin receiving their payment 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. The relevant pay circular has been issued to NHS Boards, for social care a new payment mechanism is required. We are working urgently with social care partners 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. Employers will be asked to make this offer to ensure staff receive the full benefit of this payment, as 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.
“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.”
Background
More detail on the roll-out of the one-off payment, including who is eligible, has been published.
The pro-rata £500 bonus scheme is funded from the Scottish Government’s COVID-19 support package.
We are working with key partners as a matter of urgency on a national claim process for employers which will be led by Scotland Excel. Further details will be available in the new year.
