COUNCIL staff working from home in Ceredigion could “soon be facing in-work poverty”, a union has warned, after the local authority “decided against a decent allowance.”

Unison, which is the largest union representing staff at Ceredigion Council, says the current rate of tax relief is “not enough to meet rising energy prices” and with increases likely from April council employees working from home “are going to struggle financially with many likely to be forced into living on the bread line.”

Union representatives wrote to the council earlier this month putting the case to increase its allowance for home workers, however the union said the call was rejected.

“Council chief executive Eifion Evans has committed to keeping the decision under review but the news comes as electricity prices are likely to rise this year and the current cap of £1,277 a year for average use will rise to closer to £2,000,” Unison said.

“Those working at home will be among those paying much more.

“Ceredigion’s oil-fuelled residences are likely to see a 50 per cent increase in their heating bills.

“Broadband and telephone calls are likely to increase by 10 per cent from April and employees are expected to now have broadband at home to carry out their work which means many have to upgrade to the most expensive option to be able to carry out their role.

“The National Insurance increase of 1.25 per cent from 6 April will mean an employee earning £25,000 a year will see a fall in their take-home pay of £152 a year.

“Someone on £40,000 a year will pay an extra £339 a year.”

Alison Boshier, Unison Ceredigion branch secretary, said: “Working from home may be extremely expensive with the additional costs of electricity, heating and broadband and these bills are only going to go up.

“We need to be compensated for this by our employer especially as we are still in the middle of winter and, without help, many members will be facing a difficult choice of eating or heating.”

Simon Dunn, Unison regional organiser in Ceredigion, said: “All local authorities have a responsibility to their staff to make sure they can provide for themselves and their families.

“We are deeply disappointed Ceredigion Council has decided not compensate the many people it employs who are still working from home but we welcome the commitment of the chief executive to keep this under review.

“The cost of living crisis we are all facing is very real and we as a union will do all we can to protect those workers who rely on us to have their voices heard.”

A Ceredigion council spokesperson said: “As the pandemic situation continues to change the council is currently working on arrangements which will provide a flexible approach to where staff will work from in the future.

“Covid-19 continues to be a risk in the immediate future and therefore any return to the office will be planned in a considered and Covid-19 secure way.”