Carers deserve a better deal

When carers rely on benefits they are being short changed by an outdated system that doesn’t recognise their contribution to society. The main benefit for carers - Carer's Allowance - is just £50 a week – the lowest of its kind. Unfair earnings rules act as a disincentive for carers who are able to work, while some, including those over 65 or sick, miss out on carers’ benefits altogether.

Carers UK’s Real Change not Short Change campaign was launched in 2007 and is calling on the Government to radically reform the tax and benefit system so that it is based on the contribution carers make, rather than on the work/income they have to give up. A new system should be transparent and fair to all carers, irrespective of age, easy to access and unbureaucratic.

Specifically we are calling for Carer’s Allowance to be raised to the level of the State Pension (currently £87.30) and paid to carers irrespective of age. It should have

• Flexibility to recognise the different circumstances of carers and the impact that caring can have on people’s lives. This includes the hours spent caring and the number of people being cared for.

• Financial incentives that help carers combine work and care.

• Removal of restrictions on the hours carers can study.
  

In June the Government launched their National Strategy for Carers setting out a vision that no carer should be forced into financial hardship by their caring role. It accepts that carer benefits are in need of reform and has promised a review.
 

Imelda Redmond, Chief Executive of Carers UK says,

’Carers UK shares carers’ bitter disappointment that hopes for the Strategy delivering some immediate improvements to carers' incomes have not been met. As part of the income task force informing the recommendations for the Strategy to Ministers, Carers UK's representatives argued forcefully that carers needed help now. The Government now needs to set a clear timetable for their promised review of carers’ benefits.’

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