With Brent crude now trading close to US$100 a barrel, the PSA is calling on the Government to make April’s temporary 30 percent mileage rate increase for home and community support workers permanent, and to go further. “When Health Minister Simeon Brown announced this increase in April, he said it was targeted and temporary, tied to a consistent fall in petrol prices that hasn’t happened,” said Fleur Fitzsimons, PSA National Secretary. With petrol prices are about to surge again, Finance Minister Nicola Willis told The Post she is now seeking advice on whether to extend temporary support measures. “Home support workers are essential. “In a cost-of-living crisis this government promised to fix, it’s time to stop treating essential workers’ pay and conditions as an afterthought.