Plaid Cymru Ceredigion Your representatives in Ceredigion

The MP for Ceredigion has put forward a parliamentary motion calling on the UK Government to urgently review Mileage Allowance Payments and to abolish the cap which sees drivers receive a reduced rate if they drive over 10,000 miles in the tax year. 

Approved mileage rates are set by HMRC, but there is currently no specific calculation involved in setting out these rates. The UK Government has said the rates are a policy decision taken after considering issues including the cost of motoring, the cost to the public purse of changing the rate, and the overall fiscal position. 

Approved mileage rates have not been updated since 2011 and Plaid Cymru argues that these rates should be urgently reviewed, given the significant rise in motoring costs, fuel costs and vehicle maintenance costs in recent years. 

Research carried out by Unison shows that one in five frontline public service workers are required to drive to carry out their work duties and many are paid significantly lower than average wages, particularly when it comes to social care workers.  

Ben Lake MP said: 

“For many frontline public service workers in rural areas like Ceredigion, driving significant distances is essential to fulfil their daily duties. As such, it is only reasonable that the mileage rates that workers are paid for distances travelled as part of their work should rise in line with rising fuel costs. Unfortunately, the rates have not been reviewed since 2011, meaning that too many frontline workers, including district nurses and domiciliary carers, have been forced to pay increasing amounts to cover the rising cost of fuel. This is unfair, and the UK Government should undertake a review of the Mileage Allowance rates to ensure that the support it provides is adequate.” 

“Plaid Cymru is also concerned that the failure to raise mileage rates is particularly detrimental to the voluntary sector and the ability for charities and third sector organisations to recruit and retain volunteers, which has a far-reaching impact particularly in our rural communities.”