Richard Holden asks the Chancellor about what he sees as unfair mileage rates for NHS staff.
Richard offers the following statement:
"I know how much people are feeling the pressure in terms of petrol and diesel prices following Russia’s illegal and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. This is especially acute in more rural constituencies like North West Durham where a car is an absolute necessity for so many.
"Even before the latest spike in prices, I was arguing for a Competition and Markets Authority investigation into forecourt prices and differentials from the major supermarkets. I’m glad that this has now been announced and is going forward, including a look at local areas like ours >>> www.gov.uk/cma-cases/uk-fuel-retail-market-review
"The 5p (6p including VAT) temporary cut in fuel duty has also been welcome - as has the duty freeze for over a decade and the ending of the previous fuel duty escalator.
"But I’m pushing for three things more in Parliament:
1.) Improved mileage rates for our NHS staff, especially district nurses. Currently the NHS provides 56p for the first 3,500 miles but only 20p thereafter. This means an NHS nurse who needs to do 12,000 business miles a year is roughly £1,000 out of pocket compared to the current standard mileage rates. I’ve been contacted by several nurses and NHS staff locally about this issue and raised it with The Chancellor in UK Parliament (below) who will be raising it directly with the Heath Secretary
2.) Improved standard mileage rates across the board. While 45p for the first 10,000 miles and 25p were once adequate and covered costs, it’s clear that it is no longer the case. I’ve asked the Treasury to urgently look at changing these rates to reflect current costs and I have requested they do so.
3.) Fuel Duty. While the temporary cut so far has been welcomed, it’s not enough given where prices are at the moment. I’ll continue to push the Government to go further in the coming weeks and months."