Only 19 bereaved families approved for compensation scheme

It has been revealed that only 19 families of NHS and social care workers who died after contracting coronavirus have so far been approved for the government's £60,000 compensation payment.

The figures, provided by the Department of Health and Social Care, show that at least 540 health and social care workers have died in England and Wales during the crisis but, as of 8 July, just 51 claim forms for the taxpayer-funded bereavement scheme had been received. None have been rejected, with 32 still under consideration.

The NHS and Social Care Coronavirus Life Assurance (England) Scheme 2020 opened on 20 May, less than s month after Health Secretary Matt Hancock said that 82 NHS workers and 16 social care staff had died during the crisis and he felt 'a deep personal sense of duty' to look after their loved ones.

Office for National Statistics data shows that those figures have now risen to 272 and 268 respectively.

Liberal Democrat MP Layla Moran, who obtained the numbers in response to a written Parliamentary question, said they showed more needed to be done to increase awareness among bereaved families and ensure all those entitled to claim did so.

She said: "It is concerning that so few families of NHS and care workers who tragically died on the frontline against coronavirus have so far benefitted from this scheme. The government must ensure more is done to promote awareness of this scheme to eligible families.

“No amount of money could ever compensate for any loss of life. But we must honour those who have made the ultimate sacrifice and provide security and comfort for their families.”

Moran also said that the compensation scheme should be widened to include the families of other key workers.