Charitites and Familes still don't know if they have to back pay the NMW, as the decision is put back another month.

Previously HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) issued a statement, in July 2017, which suspended enforcement activity concerning payment of "sleep-in" shifts by social care providers, until 2 October 2017.

The Government has now made a further announcement which suspends enforcement activity for a further month.

Sue Bott, deputy CEO Disability Rights UK, said:

"I welcome the one month extension and hope that the time will be used to fully understand the issues particularly in relation to PA employers. I hope that in potentially bailing out charity organisations the Government will also help PA employers so that they do not have to face cutting their support during the day in order to pay the NMW at night."

Disability Rights UK would like to hear from anyone employing PAs, or who knows of anyone employing PAs, who have received demands from HMRC for back pay for sleepovers. Contact feedback@disabilityrightsuk.org

Commenting, Co Chair of LDDA, Gemma Roulston, "The Government are not being fair and equal to all. The families don't know if they have to pay potentially 6 years worth of back pay, the charities don't know if they will have to pay it, the cared for don't know if they will lose their carer/friend because of this, and the carer, doesn't know if they will have a job. If the penalties stick, then everyone involved will lose out. Local Government don't have the money to pay charities or increase Direct Payments. The Central Government need to step up to the plate and sort the mess out. How this finishes up, will show what sort of society we really have."