Why don't they just pay CA to EVERYONE who cares for 35 hours a week, and let them keep it if they get a second job, like everyone else who gets a second job.
Even better, why don't they just recognise CARING IS WORK. After all, if we don't do it for our pittance, someone else does it for at least the minimum wage. So why not pay us the minimum age for all the care we provide.
The current rate is £8.25 an hour, I've just checked. £8.25 x 35= £287.35.
£8.25 x 168 hours, i.e. 24/7 care, equates to £1,386 a week. That will do nicely.
No it won't, there's the Working Hours Directive to consider. I don't think we are supposed to work more than 48 hours a week!
48 x £8.25 = £396.
Then the government would have to find other paid carers for the other 120 hours. That would cost £990 a week.
I'm really fed up with "trying to get carers into work" when they have to already work 35 hours to get CA.
If you take the Working Hours Directive of 48 hours a week, that means that anyone wanting to do a second job on top should only legally work for 13 hours.
Carers UK should NOT be supporting the government initiative to get more carers into work, they should be campaigning for the work we are already doing, caring for the elderly, sick and disabled, to be recognised for the work it is.
It's the SAME JOB after all, whether done by a paid carer or a relative.
Right, I'll jump off my soapbox now!!!!