Frontline care workers looking after elderly and disabled people have had their higher pay rate for unsocial hours taken away.

Unison is considering industrial action as care home staff employed by Surrey County Council are no longer receiving more money for working shifts that involve weekends, late nights and bank holidays.

Enhancements were introduced in April to reward them for the extra work they took on during the pandemic, but were withdrawn on October 1, despite the threat of the virus remaining.

UNISON branch secretary Paul Couchman said: "Although always seen by the council as a temporary measure, for me it doesn't make sense to take it away now, with cases increasing.

"They're still going to need staff to step up to the plate and cover for people who are shielding and self-isolating.

"Whilst most Surrey residents have shown their support by joining in the clapping in appreciation, it seems the county council are unwilling to recognise the continuing sacrifices care staff are making."

Nursing home worker Justina Faltado (Tina), who worked in a private nursing home in Farnham, died from Covid-19 in May, aged 57.

Among others to have died after contracting the virus was Larni Zuniga, a registered nurse working for CHD Living's Surrey Hills care home, aged just 54.

The council agreed to continue to pay enhanced wages if the evening and weekend work is overtime, but not when part of normal rotas.

A care worker doing a seven-hour shift on a weekend or bank holiday and finishing at 10pm will receive less than £80 before tax.

Duncan Eastoe, Unison rep for Mallow Crescent, said: "This is a real kick in the teeth."

There have been three positive cases among residents at Mallow Crescent, a Guildford residential home for adults with learning difficulties, but no cases among staff.

Mr Eastoe said: "Social distancing is incredibly difficult, you just can't do it when you're shaving someone, or making sure they don't fall over in the shower."

A few of the staff are over 50 and have underlying conditions, so it is down to their colleagues to share the load, he said.

Although staff were not pressured into doing overtime, the alternative was to use bank or agency staff.

"It would make sense just to keep paying the enhancements rather than become more dependent on agency staff, which are more expensive for the council," he said.

Unison said Surrey care workers earn an average of £10.75 per hour, making them some of the lowest-paid council employees.

This is above the national average for care workers, but branch secretary Mr Couchman said: "Surrey is one of the most expensive places to live in the country. Without any enhancements it can be a struggle to make ends meet."

A Surrey County Council spokesman said: "We value the hard work and dedication of our staff and introduced extra payments for working unsocial hours to help address unprecedented circumstances at the start of lockdown.

"These temporary payments were extended until the end of September and now that we're moving to a sustained longer-term response we've looked again at the approach.

"We've agreed to continue offering our staff unsocial hours payments for work they do which is related to coronavirus and is outside of their normal working hours or pattern.

"Our employees are at the heart of everything we do for our residents and we'll continue to keep pay arrangements under review."

The union is balloting its care home workers in Surrey tomorrow (Wednesday 14).

A majority are expected to support the 'Fair Reward for Covid Care' campaign to reinstate enhancements.

Unison said it would support members if they voted to take action. They would also like to see a one-off goodwill payment, such as the £500 given to care workers by the Welsh Government.