To ask the Minister for Communities what recognition she will be providing for volunteers who worked alongside the paid staff funded by Supporting People that are receiving a £500 Covid recognition payment.

I value the work of all staff in the Voluntary and Community Sector and recognise the contribution they have made over the last year. I also recognise that as restrictions are lifted, volunteers will continue to play a vital role in activities that will support our recovery. During 2021/22 my Department provide £595,482 through the Volunteering Infrastructure Support Programme and also made available an additional £500,000 to support emergency related Volunteering during the COVID crisis.

Throughout the Covid 19 pandemic I have consistently made the case that Supporting People and Homelessness staff deliver services that are similar to those delivered through the Health and Care sectors.

In recognition of these similarities, and in light of Minister Swann’s announcement in January regarding a Health and Social Care staff recognition payment I have decided to offer an ex gratia basis of up to £500 net.