It was great to join a fringe event at UNISON’s annual conference to discuss the cost of working and the impact it has on frontline staff.
This impacts everyone who uses a car or van for work, from care workers to tradespeople. The win means the rate will go up from 45p a mile to 55p with a fuller review ahead of the budget. Importantly it will be backdated to April. Real impact putting money back into the pockets of working people.
For too long, workers have been expected to absorb the costs of doing their jobs. Whether it’s using their own car for work, paying for DBS checks, uniforms (even PPE!) or essential training, too many people have been left out of pocket simply for turning up to work and serving their communities.
That’s why I’ve been proud to campaign alongside Unison & the RAC Foundation for fairer mileage rates. After pressure put on with support of the Mirror newspaper, we’ve secured a significant breakthrough with an increase to HMRC mileage rates for the first time in 15 years ahead of a wider review before the next budget – changes that will make a real difference to thousands of workers.
The campaign has delivered results, but the work goes on to truly make work pay.
Jim McMahon OBE MP 