The National Carer Organisations, including Carers Scotland, wrote to the Minister for Social Security and Local Government following the recent announcement by the Chancellor on support to help with the cost-of-living crisis.

This announcement included several measures including £400 for all households, a boost of £650 for people in receipt of means-tested benefits, extra support for pensioners and an extra £150 for people in receipt of disability benefits.

This will bring some welcome relief to carers who are on means-tested benefits or who are pensioners. Carers have faced soaring costs, increasing the stress of caring for relatives and friends who are disabled, ill or older and need help. They have been struggling with decisions every day about whether to heat or eat and they’ve been terrified about what this will mean for them and their family.  However, across the UK, there are several hundred thousand carers who do not receive means-tested benefits, but who are in receipt of Carer’s Allowance, the main carers benefit. These carers will be shocked and worried that they will not get any of the extra payments of £650 per year low income payment even though Carer’s Allowance itself is the lowest benefit of its kind at only £69.70 per week and won’t even get an extra £150 alongside people who are in receipt of disability benefits.

The National Carer Organisations have sought assurances fromt the Scottish Government that it will take action, particularly using consequentials from the extension to the Household Support Fund in England, to target financial support for carers and, have made a range of suggestions on what more could be done.