Expert comment

APPG on Carers: "The Carers Strategy has come at a pivotal moment as the amount of unpaid care being provided is going up as care needs increase"

Jenny Luckett
Policy, Research and Public Affairs Officer, Carers UK

This week the Minister for Community and Social Care, Alistair Burt MP, came to a meeting of the APPG on Carers supported by the APPG on Motor Neurone Disease to talk to fellow MPs about the latest developments in the Carers Strategy.

Positive change for carers announced but concerns still remain: Housing and Planning Bill

Jenny Luckett
Policy, Research and Public Affairs Officer, Carers UK

Yesterday evening was the Third Reading of the Housing and Planning Bill in the House of Lords and there have been some positive developments for carers since we submitted evidence to Peers and to Government on the specific challenges faced by carers.

Looking ahead to the budget

Chloe Wright, Policy and Public Affairs Manager, Carers UK

PIP

The planned changes to how aids and appliances are considered in entitlement for the Personal Independence Payment (PIP) announced by the Disability Minister last Friday will mean that some 640,000 disabled people will be affected – either receiving a lower level of support or losing entitlement to PIP altogether.

Carers and the Housing Bill - what difference will the Bill make?

Jenny Luckett
Policy, Research and Public Affairs Officer, Carers UK

This week the House of Lords is going through the Housing and Planning Bill in detail, at its Committee stage, scrutinising the effect of the Bill. For carers and those they look after, there are some important changes that could have a significant impact, mostly on future carers, but some affecting current carers who live in council housing properties.

High Court rules in favour of families in carers' benefit cap challenge

Eddy Graham
Head of Advice and Information, Carers UK

On the 26th November the High Court ruled in that by applying the benefit cap to the carers in the case the Government is discriminating against disabled people. Carers UK’s Head of Advice and Information, Eddy Graham looks at the judgment in the case of Hurley, Jarrett and Palmer and its significance for carers.