A MAN from Westhoughton has launched a petition calling for the government to give care home staff in England a £500 bonus.

Adam Smith, 23, was inspired by the Welsh government announcing that its care home staff will receive a £500 bonus for their work during the coronavirus crisis.

Mr Smith has seen first hand the hard work that care home staff have been doing over the past few months as he works as a receptionist in a care home in Bolton, although he is keen to emphasise that this petition is not about him.

He said: “The care home staff have been working incredibly hard but they’ve not had the recognition they deserve.

“The Welsh government has announced its plans for a bonus and it is working with the UK government to achieve this."

So far the petition has received over 100 signatures, however if it reaches 100,000 the government has to respond. Mr Smith hopes that the petition will help raise awareness, even if it doesn’t get debated in parliament.

To sign the petition visit Change.org.