Calls for mileage allowance for volunteer drivers to be increased

A Hampshire councillor is calling for the motor mileage allowance for volunteer car drivers to be lifted from 45p to 60p per mile in the face of the cost of living crisis.

The HMRC mileage rate for reimbursing the use of private cars has been fixed at 45p per mile since 2011, despite inflation of 25 per cent over the same period.

The price of fuel meanwhile has increased by more than 20 per cent over the last five years, and has recently soared past the 190p mark.

The mileage rate is also expected to cover other items such as vehicle maintenance.

Mark Rand, treasurer of East Woodhay and Highclere Neighbourcare – a service taking residents in need to GP Surgeries, hospital and dentist appointments – said the issue had been discussed in meetings and said he’d like for the allowance to reflect the cost of motoring.

He said: “There’s a feeling among lots of people that the 45p standard rate no longer meets the same need as it did in 2011.

“Surely they can apply the same formula as they did in 2011 – I think it would be fairer for people who give up their time.

“The mileage allowance should be reflective of the new cost of motoring.”

Linda Stepney, the secretary for Whitchurch Neighbourcare and a volunteer driver, said the lack of an increase since 2011 was acting as a major disincentive to volunteer drivers.

A petition has been launched by umbrella group Good Neighbours Network calling for parliament to consider raising the mileage rate to at least 60p per mile, arguing it will ensure volunteer drivers are being fairly compensated for the use of their cars and not put out of pocket.

The petition has been signed by just over 18,000 people and needs 100,000 to be considered for debate in Parliament.

Backing the petition is town councillor and Lib Dem parliamentary spokesman for North West Hants Luigi Gregori.

Mr Gregori said: “From my perspective this is a non-political issue, and we should help volunteers who are working hard for the benefit of our communities.

“In many cases these volunteers are providing services that the state or councils should be doing.

“We cannot compensate them for their time, but we should ensure that they are not out of pocket.

“I was delighted to hear from Linda that she had written to our local MP Kit Malthouse who promptly responded that he would take the matter up with the Chancellor.

“In the meantime, we should keep the pressure up and sign the Mileage Rate petition.”

To view the petition, visit https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/600966.