carers stratergy

[Linda Pestano]

i have been invited to go on local radio this morning to talk about the new carers strategy

ANY SUGGESTIONS

[Cheril The Peril]

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Hi Linda
Could you make the point that the review isn't any use unless/until the government make provision for paying carers
A) A proper income
A respite allowance that they control, and based on the care required by their caree.


The governments main excuse/reason for not paying carers more is that the up take of carers allowance would increase.
Why does that matter?
Someone has to be paid to look after the sick, disabled and elderly.
They have to have holiday pay too.
What is the differnce in paying a care work? or care worker supplied through an agency, so also paying agency fees. How do they justify that being cheaper than paying a family carer?

If some carers leave their employment to take up the new fanatastic CA What does that matter ? it frees up employment for someone else?
Surely most people would prefer to carry on working for as long as possible, why would anyone give up work, loose the interst and social contact, dump their career prospects etc to stay at home and be tied down to the full on 24/7 responsability of caring unless they have to?

They can't have it both ways.
On the pittance CA that we get right now we are salt of the earth, unsung heros etc, but there is this inference that if we were to be paid a "proper" amount of money we are all likely to become potential benefit fraudsters? An entirely ridiculous, insulting and unproven theory.
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[Cheril The Peril]

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They can't have it both ways.
On the pittance CA that we get right now we are salt of the earth, unsung heros etc, but there is this inference that if we were to be paid a "proper" amount of money we are all likely to become potential benefit fraudsters? An entirely ridiculous, insulting and unproven theory.
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This makes me really angry, it's like us saying we won't vote for anyone because every MP has the potential to fiddle their expences or "forget" to declare donations?
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[Guest]

I'd like to add that the statutory right to a carers assessment should include a statutory right to services if the carer meets nationally defined criteria, too many carers having fought for the assessment are then denied services despite being in desperate need, as it stands the right to an assessment alone wastes scarce resources and social workers' time.

Also a Carers Wage that reflects the work we do and that is administered outside the benefits system.

[kerrygold71]

when will the carers stragety be finallised i have heard it will be on the 16th june is this true ? ..

im a 24/7 home carer for my autisic son , i was hoping for either the carer allowance to be made higher or they increase the amount you can earn from £95.00 to be made higher , i would like a weekend job , but if i did i would be earning more than £95.00 and my carers allowance would be stopped , my husband is at home after 2pm each day and he is at home at weekends so i could get a little saturday & sunday weekend job ..

what have the goverment done for us carers ?

see you from kerry ..

[charles47]

Kerry, it's been published today.

Not a penny increase on Carers Allowance. This is not just "disappointing" it's unacceptable. It's unacceptable for a government minister to tell us "it's very complicated" - it's been an issue since the first Carers Strategy (when it was ignored completely). CUK should point this out and make it absolutely clear that the government is wrong on this.

From the little I've read, I give the government maybe 3/10 (if I'm feeling generous) - but there are 168 pages!

[Cheril The Peril]

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No is a small enough word it definately doesn't need 168 pages to say it.
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[krys]

hi

i agree with most of what had been said this morning,
maybe now cuk will agree to our protest?
i feel this is the only way forward, because no one is
listening.

good luck linda.

krys

[Tonyd]

Hi Linda and good luck
All I can suggest is that no extra money to cover the huge rise in the cost of living we are all facing just more deperation for all carers that are in a desperate position to start with

[g.herschel]

Mention how many carers who give up work and have occupational pensions pay tax on it and as you know its an extra £150 next year so 3 weeks allowance gone but if i was you just tell them to **** ***

GEORGE====

ALSO CARERS ALLOWANCE IS NOT A BLOODY BENEFIT WE HAVE TO WORK AT LEAST 35 HOURS PER WEEK AND TO BE CLASSED AS A BENEFIT CLAIMANT IS WRONG

THE 150 MILLION QUID IS FOR WORKING CARERS ONLY IN ENGLAND AND IF IAM RIGHT ITS £20 EACH .