The Scottish government is promising to step in and make death in service payments and provide enhanced sick pay for social care workers who would otherwise only get the minimum statutory payments.

Fears had been expressed that some people with coronavirus symptoms might avoid being tested or continue to go to work rather than having to self-isolate for seven days on statutory sick pay of £96 a week.

At the start of last week, Ms Freeman said she accepted that, while local authority employers and some private and third sector providers give their employees “the proper payment of sick pay that is not the minimum statutory sick pay”, others do not.

In a statement issued overnight, the government said it was stepping in to provide additional funding to ensure all care workers receive enhanced sick pay where they have received a positive Covid-19 test.

In addition, a one-off payment of £60,000 will be made to the next of kin of any social care worker who dies in service without adequate pension arrangements.

Covid-19 has claimed the lives of nine social care workers in Scotland.

The Health Secretary, Jean Freeman, says the additional support was needed urgently:

“Social Care staff provide a critical and valuable service, never more apparent than during this emergency period.

“While some employers offer employment contracts closer to the Scottish Government’s fair work principles, it is clear that others do not. In recognition of the current exceptional circumstances and in order to ensure that social care workers are given the urgent support they deserve, we will develop a Scottish Government funded scheme for care workers in respect of sick pay and death in service benefits.

“These fair work issues and how they are realised in commissioning contracts will require to be addressed but, in the current circumstances, my focus now is on fairness for the care workers affected.

“We will continue to work with local government, social care providers and trades unions on further details of the plans over the course of next week.”

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