The Welsh government has announced a further £10 million to help newly recruited care workers pay for driving lessons and purchase electric fleet vehicles.

Being unable to drive or not having access to a vehicle is one of the main barriers to recruitment into the sector and can limit the number of hours domiciliary care workers are able to work.

The Deputy Minister for Social Services, Julie Morgan said: “I am very pleased we are providing an additional £10 million to local authorities to increase capacity in domiciliary care.

“Domiciliary care workers being unable to drive is cited as one of the main barriers to recruitment and can limit what services can be offered by providers. This funding will support the sector to meet these challenges and help people return home from hospital by increasing the provision of services.

“In addition, there are significant delays for driving test dates due to the pandemic. The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency has agreed to prioritise test dates for Welsh domiciliary care workers who are waiting to sit their driving tests.”

For more information visit homecare.co.uk