MPs tell Government to support carers alongside banking system

The Committee describes the Government’s response as ‘generally positive’ but expresses concern about the absence of an immediate plan and timetable for reform of carers’ benefits. This concern is shared by Carers UK and through our campaign Real change not short change we have been calling for an urgent review of carers’ benefits.

The Government’s response acknowledges that the system of support for carers needs to be reformed, but says that it will only consider changes to carers’ benefits as part of the wider plans for welfare reform. The Government recently published a White Paper setting out plans for reforming Jobseeker’s Allowance and Employment and Support Allowance and it says that ‘this paper outlines the next steps for carers’ benefits reform’.

The Committee Chairman, Labour MP Terry Rooney said:

“The care [carers] provide is not only of enormous value to those they care for, but also to society in general.  At a time when public money is being used to oil the banking system, it should also be used to support those who give their services free without complaint to society."

Imelda Redmond, Chief Executive of Carers UK, said:

“Whilst we welcome the Government’s acceptance that carers’ benefits need to be reformed, its response to the Committee’s report gives little detail about how or when this reform will take place. This is despite evidence that carers are being hit hard by the financial crisis and are struggling to pay their bills this winter.

We are particularly disappointed that the Government has refused to make even minor changes to Carer’s Allowance, such as removing the illogical rule which prevents carers studying for more than 21 hours per week from receiving the benefit, even if they are caring for more than 35 hours per week. This rule prevents carers from improving their employment prospects and leaves them trapped on benefits.

The Government’s rejection of ‘piecemeal changes’ such as this does not stand up to questioning. The wider programme of welfare reform and the creation of an entirely new benefit system will take years. Carers need help now and Government should abolish these senseless rules immediately.

The White Paper on welfare reform contains only the barest details about the Government’s plans to reform carers’ benefits. The Government must urgently undertake a full review and consider how a single benefit for all groups, which is their intended policy, can recognise carers’ contribution and be tailored to their particular circumstances.”

In its response the Government acknowledges that the support available to carers does not differentiate sufficiently between the different needs and circumstances of carers. However it does not accept that the general level of support to help with caring and the costs of disability is inadequate, despite Carer’s Allowance being just £50.55 per week.

Recent research by Carers UK[i] found that nearly nine in ten carers say their financial position is worse than 12 months ago. Three quarters are struggling to pay essential bills and more than half are cutting back on food to make ends meet. Particularly worrying is that more than half of carers are in debt with many resorting to overdrafts and credit cards to pay for everyday expenses.

[i] Carers in Crisis: a survey of carers’ finances in 2008, Carers UK. more...

Notes to Editors:

The Committee's report, Valuing and Supporting Carers, was published on 29 August 2008. It can be downloaded here.

The Government’s response can be found here. 

The DWP’s White Paper Raising expectations and increasing support: reforming welfare for the future’ was published on December 10th. Carers UK’s response can be found here.

You can find out about our Real change not short change campaign here.