Nationally there are some negotiations progressing slowly. NHS Employers have issued some recommendations for an interim 10% rise in fuel allowances (regular user) for vehicles of 1500cc and less to be backdated to 1st January 2008. A number of trusts are not even implementing this modest proposal.

What can we do?

The failure of NHS Employers to progress national negotiations means we have to start responding locally. Some union members are asking their stewards (union reps) to submit collective grievances to build pressure on Trusts to move on this issue. Its likely that PCT staff will follow this path and will demand more than the modest interim increase proposed nationally.

Below from the national FAQ - http://www.nhsemployers.org/pay-conditions/rollout-q-and-a.cfm

In view of recent increases in fuel costs, are there any plans to increase the nationally agreed rates of mileage allowances?

The general principle is that staff using their own cars for NHS business should not be disadvantaged as a result of increases in motoring costs.

The national provisions on mileage allowances set out in Section 17 of the NHS Terms and Conditions Handbook contains flexibilities which allow staff and employer representatives to agree arrangements which provide benefits to staff beyond those provided by the national provisions or are agreed as operationally preferable. We are aware that some employers have agreed in partnership variations to the national rates to address particular problems.

The national Agenda for Change partners have agreed to review Section 17 of the Handbook as part of next years programme of work.

DOCUMENTS...       Interim national guidance