Should my employer pay towards my petrol?

I work as a care worker, visiting elderly people in their own homes. My clients are more or less in the same area but often I find I may have to travel a few miles for other calls I cover. The company I work for is a ltd private company who provide a wide range of domestic, personal care,support and social care services to people in their own homes.
I am on a low wage week days which increases 拢1 for weekends. I work 12 days on (hours vary weekly - not exceed 34hrs) and 2 days off. If I am sick or my young son, then I am told by my office (although not stated in my contract) that I have to ring round all other girls to get my calls covered (using my own phone). I am paying 拢10 per week on petrol, using my mobile phone on a regular basis to relay to my office any problems there may be with my clients. I am told I can claim from tax office for my petrol, mobile, work shoes? But why should I pay out these expenses every week! Why doesn't my boss pay and surely he can reclaim?

There is a statutory system of tax free mileage allowances for business journeys in your own transport.

The rates are: 40p per mile for the first 10,000 business miles and 25p per mile thereafter.

You do not state in your question how many business miles you travel per annum, but if less than 10,000, then you will be able to claim the difference (10p X miles) as a deduction against your earnings.

The form used for the purpose is a form P87 available from your local tax office.

hope this helps

If it's just a few miles, i'd say no. However if you need to go like 20 miles or more, i think he should pay for the gas at least.

I think you should check this out with the tax office, you should be able to claim tax relief on petrol and phone calls I think. I'm almost certain that the carer my mum had submitted an expense sheet to her employer every month, so I should have a word with whoever is in charge. You work hard enough for the little money you get and I think it is an absolute disgrace. When you think of the amount your' boss gets paid by each client it's disgusting the pittance you carers get! Good luck and thank you for everything you do for those who can't help themselves.