§ Mr. Aspinwallasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the current position on mileage allowances paid to community nurses and other National Health Service staff who use their own cars on National Health Service business.
§ Mr. Kenneth Carlisleasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he will be in a position to announce a further increase in the mileage allowances for community nursing staff.
§ Mr. Peter Lloydasked the Secretary of State for Social Services, pending its review of the adequacy of present arrangements, if he will instruct the Whitley council to make an interim increase in the car allowances paid to health visitors, community nurses, and community midwives to bring them up to the level presently enjoyed by other public employees such as social workers.
§ Dr. VaughanNew rates of mileage allowances were agreed by the General Whitley Council and notified to health authorities on 26 June, the first increase since April 1977. Further improvements were then announced on 3 July which reflected petrol price rises since 1 April and the effect of other Budget increases on motoring costs.
The result of these changes is to increase the rates of allowance by some 25 per cent. to 35 per cent. over previous levels and to bring the rates closely in line with those paid in local government. The allowances have for some time been higher than Civil Service rates. In addition to these improvements the Whitley Council has commissioned a survey of car usage in the NHS from which the report, expected at the end of this year, will provide the basis for a comprehensive review of mileage allowances and associated arrangements. Mileage allowances for business use are not subject to tax except for home-to-work journeys or where the allowances payable represent a sufficiently high payment per mile that an element of taxable profit is assessed by Inland Revenue. Any tax liability arising on NHS mileage allowances is normally 713W very small in relation to total allowances received.
STANDARD RATES (Payable to employees who need to make only occasional journeys by car) 501–1,000 cc 1,000–1,750 cc over 1,750 cc Per mile … … … … … 13.8p 16.0p 18.1p
REGULAR USER RATES (Payable to employees who need to use their cars regularly during the year) 501–1,000 cc 1,001–1,500 cc Over 1,500 cc Lump sums per annum … … … £198 £234 £279 Per mile in addition (first 9,000 miles) … 9.4p 10.2p 11.9p Per mile thereafter … … … 6.0p 6.5p 9.2p