The Government has announced it will pay £60,000 to the families of NHS and social care staff who die from coronavirus in the course of “essential frontline work”.
The health secretary told the covid-19 press conference that 82 NHS staff and 16 social care workers had lost their lives after contracting the disease during the pandemic.
Matt Hancock revealed the new life assurance scheme – funded by the state – and said ministers were looking at other frontline professions who did not have access to similar schemes.
He said: “Today I’m able to announce the government is setting up a life assurance scheme for NHS and social care frontline staff. Families of staff who die from coronavirus in the course of their essential frontline work will receive a £60,000 payment.
“Of course, nothing replaces the loss of a loved one but we want do everything we can to help these families dealing with grief.”
Mr Hancock continued: “As a government, we are looking closely at other professions that work on the front line against coronavirus, who also do not have access to such schemes, to see where this may be required.”
Asked whether it would apply to overseas workers will qualify for the scheme, the health secretary said: “The answer is yes. This is for frontline staff working in the NHS and social care who die and are employees are within NHS and social care.”
