Is 45p a mile enough to cover work mileage?

The current HMRC rate of 45p a mile was introduced in 2011. This rate remains in place, eleven years on, despite the fact that fuel costs, the price of cars, insurance, tyres, and associated maintenance costs have all increased. So, is it enough?

Apparently not, according to a poll on our homepage and social media, which saw 87% of you say no, while just 13% thought perhaps it was.

Consultant editor of Social Work News, Vince Peart, said: “Inflation in the UK is rising at its fastest rate for 30 years, and many observers expect it to reach double digits by the end of 2022.

“In this context, 45p a mile simply cannot be good enough given it was agreed and set at a time when prices were far lower.

“Social workers give enough time away for free, working an average of ten hours extra a week in unpaid overtime. I do not think that we should be out of pocket when it comes to basic reimbursement of our travel expenses too.”

Hundreds of comments on SWN’s social media channels showed that most social workers practicing today agreed it was time for a review of the figure.

“It definitely isn’t enough,” commented Sarah Ann, a social worker from the East Midlands.

“When I started 20+ years ago, I remember different bands of mileage rates depending on the size of your car engine. All those years ago, as I had a large car, I got something like 57p per mile!

“AND DON’T GET ME STARTED ON THE COST OF HEATING AND ELECTRICITY FOR THOSE STILL WORKING AT HOME (I’M LUCKY ENOUGH TO BE IN AN OFFICE). EMPLOYERS NEED TO PROPERLY COMPENSATE EMPLOYEES - YOU SHOULDN’T HAVE TO PAY OUT TO DO YOUR JOB!”

Marie Ann, a social worker in the south east of England, agreed, adding: “This needs to be reviewed desperately. We will be paying to go to work at this rate!

“One of my colleagues was saying today that if they get a lease car from the local authority, then they only get 11p a mile, which is ridiculous. They will end up paying to do visits soon.

“I DON’T THINK THIS RATE HAS BEEN REVIEWED FOR MANY YEARS AND, ESPECIALLY IN TODAY’S CLIMATE, WE ARE ALL BEING AFFECTED.”

Alex, who also works in the south east, wrote: “It’s absolutely nowhere near enough. Caseloads are higher, so we’re doing more mileage. If I was office-based I’d do 6,000 miles per year, but I do an extra 10,000 mileage in visits. Over three years, that’s an extra 30,000 mileage on my car which will wipe out a huge chunk of its value. That 45p per mile is now taken entirely with fuel, and doesn’t do anything to compensate me for the loss of value, or wear and tear of the vehicle.”

No, it’s not enough, but what’s the answer? Teams alternate visits?” asked Mandy, a social worker in Glasgow.

“I’m able, on occasion, to do Teams meetings instead of routine visits, but I know my colleagues in children and families teams cannot, so they will be harder hit.”

Ann Marie, who lives and works in the north east, said: “As a social worker who had a young person out-of-area, I was doing over 2,500 miles per month. I have had to service my car twice in four months, due to high mileage, so the answer is, absolutely not. That amount doesn’t take into consideration wear and tear, tyres, brakes, oil, etc.”

Kate, a social worker living and working in London, add: “Who even gets the time to complete the mileage forms?! They’re tedious, having to list the postcode of each location and work out the mileage. I’ve not claimed for over two years, and historically probably another six before that. I think it would make more sense for them to just give us a fuel/travel allowance.”