PRESS RELEASE

Purvis And Moore Support Call For Inquiry Into Mileage Rate For Volunteer Drivers

Michael Moore MP

21-Dec-2009

Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk MP Michael Moore and Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale MSP Jeremy Purvis voiced concern over mileage rates for volunteer ambulance drivers in rural areas after changes were made to mileage rates for volunteer ambulance drivers across Scotland, resulting in drivers being reimbursed at only 40p per mile for the first 10,000 miles and 25p per mile thereafter.

Jamie Stone MSP has called for an independent inquiry into mileage rates in the Highlands; Moore and Purvis are asking for this enquiry to include the Borders and other rural areas.

Commenting, Mr Purvis said:

Many drivers can not afford the more expensive rates, which have led to a reduction in numbers of ambulance drivers in other rural areas. If the Borders see numbers drop as the Highlands has, there will be a very uncertain and dangerous situation.

Volunteers play a major role in the patient transfer service and the changes in reimbursements do not benefit volunteers working in rural areas or the people who rely on those services. This change is literally putting lives at risk.

I was pleased that, following a parliamentary question I submitted, the Scottish Government has also recognised this risk and has said that it will be looking into a review.

Michael Moore added:

This news is most unwelcome. The change to lower reimbursements may be more beneficial for volunteers in densely populated areas who have less distance to travel, but to introduce a universal law throughout Scotland is unjust when it does not work for the whole country.

Residents in rural areas are unnecessarily put at risk by this change in reimbursement rates.

An independent inquiry would introduce a fair mileage rate for volunteer ambulance drivers in remote and rural areas.

ENDS

Notes To Editors:

1. The text of the parliamentary question submitted by Jeremy Purvis and the response from the Scottish Government is provided below:
   
   S3W-29487 - Jeremy Purvis (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale) (LD) (Date Lodged Tuesday, December 01, 2009): To ask the Scottish Executive what consideration was given to the needs of rural areas in applying Inland Revenue mileage rates to patient transport service drivers for the Scottish Ambulance Service.
   
   Answered by Nicola Sturgeon (Friday, December 11, 2009): The aim of the guidance issued on the mileage rates payable to volunteers was to ensure consistency across the whole of NHSScotland. The guidance reflects HM Revenue and Customs guidelines on the non taxable mileage rate for volunteer drivers. We undertook to monitor the impact of the guidance and to review the rates in line with any changes to the rates payable to NHS staff and any change to the HM Revenue and Customs guidance. We are currently awaiting the recommendations following a review of mileage rates for staff and will consider these when available.

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