Domiciliary care workers in Penarth and across Wales will receive driving lessons and access to electric cars to boost recruitment in the sector.

Funding for carers will be distributed through the Vale of Glamorgan Council as part of a Welsh Government initiative costing £10 million.

According to Welsh Government, being unable to drive or not having access to a car is one of the main barriers to recruitment in the care sector and limits the number of hours domiciliary care workers can work.

There is a high demand for domiciliary care workers in Wales and the funding will help Vale of Glamorgan Council and other local authorities to fill the recruitment and retention gap.

Julie Morgan, deputy minister for Social Services, said: "I am very pleased we are providing an additional £10 million to local authorities to increase capacity in domiciliary care.

"Domiciliary care workers being unable to drive is cited as one of the main barriers to recruitment and can limit what services can be offered by providers."

She continued: "This funding will support the sector to meet these challenges and help people return home from hospital by increasing the provision of services.

"I encourage anyone working in domiciliary care who is learning to drive to speak to their employer about how this funding could benefit them and their career."

Despite significant delays in driving test dates due to the pandemic, the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency has agreed to prioritise test dates for Welsh domiciliary care workers.