Employers are deeply concerned about the delay in distributing a one-off payment of nearly £1,655 to up to 20,000 health workers in England, as agreed last May alongside a 5% pay rise. Initially excluded front-line NHS staff employed by social enterprises were promised funding in November, but the money has not been distributed yet. Social enterprises, responsible for their staff’s payments, haven’t received updates on progress from the Department of Health and Social Care. Social Enterprise UK, representing these entities, threatened legal action but paused when promised funds didn’t materialize. Without action, they may resume the legal process. Employees, like speech-and-language therapist Pippa Wiseman, who continued working throughout lockdown, feel disappointed. Protests and industrial actions have ensued. The Department of Health insists that eligible staff will receive payments once funding applications are processed by the end of the financial year.
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