South Yorkshire care workers forced "on to the breadline" when self-isolating
Many only get Statutory Sick Pay
It's claimed South Yorkshire care workers are having to turn to foodbanks to survive while they're off work self-isolating.
Unions say many are only getting Statutory Sick Pay rather than their normal wage which means they're struggling to make ends meet.
Emma had to take a fortnight off work at a care home in Barnsley after she developed Covid symptoms - we've changed her name to protect her identity:
"I couldn't pay my rent. My mum had to pay my rent out of her state pension so I didn't lose my house for me and my daughter. I was having to borrow from my sister and my friends just to get by that month.
"I'm on national minimum wage - it's not enough to live on so I have to top it up with Universal Credit. It's not our fault we're having to self isolate. I've got no savings and I know I'm not the only person. With sick pay being £95...my rent's £90."
"I think that carers should be guaranteed normal pay if they have to self isolate because it's not their fault. A lot of them don't want to because they can't manage."
Care providers get extra funding from the government for costs relating to controlling the spread of coronavirus. It's from a pot of money called the Infection Control Fund which is distributed by councils.
One of things the government recommends providers spend the money on is paying staff their full wage if they have to self isolate.
This is partly to make sure there's no incentive not to self-isolate when they're told to do so.
But many care providers aren't choosing to pass on that money to their staff.
Robin Simons is from Unison in South Yorkshire and says it's leaving care workers struggling:
"Nationally only 19% is being used for that purpose.
"In South Yorkshire we've had experiences of employers saying 'well we don't have to spend it on that and we're choosing to spend it on other infection control measures'. Meanwhile, our members, who do such a fantastic job, are having to live on the breadline.
"For those of us who are more fortunate, we might think it's no big deal to go two weeks without receiving our normal level of earnings but for care workers who are already relying on in-work benefits because their pay is so poor, they're having to rely on handouts, support from family members and foodbanks."
It's led to worries care workers may be tempted not to self isolate when they're required to.
Robin says it's a real possibility:
"Already we're hearing reports that some care workers are reluctant to download the Test and Trace app because it increases the risk of them being told to self-isolate and they simply can't afford it. So that's got to be a concern - that's got to be a concern for everybody."
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said:
“Our £1.1 billion Infection Control Fund is to be used to support adult social care providers to reduce the rate of COVID-19 transmission and can be used to pay staff who are isolating their normal wages so they do not lose income while doing so.
“People on low incomes who cannot work from home while self-isolating are able to apply for a £500 Test & Trace Support Payment. Eligible applicants will receive this on top of any current benefits and Statutory Sick Pay they are entitled to.”