Carers UK's work for carers' employment rights has been recognised as part of the thirtieth anniversary of Working Families, the UK's leading work-life balance campaign organisation.

New Employers for Carers service goes live, aimed at helping businesses get the most out of their workforces. Government-backed business group Employers for Carers, chaired by BT and supported by Carers UK, goes live today (27th January). The group will deliver hands-on advice to employers on supporting the UK's 3 million working carers, many of whom are struggling to combine work with caring for ill, frail or disabled friends or family members.

Carers UK has responded to a Department for Work and Pensions consultation on reform of the social fund. The social fund offers a mixture of loans and grants to help people on low incomes meet unexpected costs. It is a vital resource for carers who may need a loan to help afford larger items such as a new washing machine or cooker.

Carers Scotland and Carers UK have welcomed the Government's change of heart over its proposal to move carers claiming Income Support onto a modified version of Jobseeker's Allowance.

An MP who spoke at Carers UK's lobby of Parliament has tabled a motion in support of Carers Rights Day (05 December)

New research unveils extreme hardship amongst Scotland's unpaid carers

New research unveils extreme hardship among the nation's carers. The number of carers struggling to make ends meet has risen dramatically since 2007. Two-thirds in fuel poverty; over half in debt; over half cutting back on essentials like food or heating to make ends meet.

GMTV's money saving expert Martin Lewis has given his backing to Carers Rights Day.

Carers UK has signed up with Everyclick - a one stop shop that enables consumers to access effective and engaging ways to give online.

The Employment Tribunal in London has ruled that protection for carers against discrimination "by association with disability" can be given under existing UK law, paving the way for carers to make immediate claims against their employers if they are treated unfairly.

25th November 2008

Carers UK has welcomed yesterday's announcement by the Chancellor Alistair Darling MP that all carers who are entitled to Carer's Allowance will receive an additional payment of £60. This is on top of the usual £10 Christmas Bonus which they will receive. The increase will be paid automatically in the New Year to all those who qualify.

 

Local councils are being urged to provide better support to carers managing direct payments, rather than saddling them with the burden of unnecessary administration and worry in the Government's drive towards personalisation of care services.

Organisations with the expertise to help carers are being invited to become part of a national programme called Caring with Confidence.

Caring with Confidence is a new programme aimed at making a positive difference to carers and those they care for.

Well over half of respondents to a brand new poll of adults in England carried out by the 'Right care, Right deal' campaign think that the social care system for older people is "depressing". 57% of people questioned were prepared to agree with that description, with 51% of respondents stating that social care for older people who need help is "confusing".

 

Carers UK is backing a new campaign called 'Get Fair' which aims to highlight how many people in the UK such as disabled people and the elderly are living in poverty.

Carers UK has received a letter from Minister Ivan Lewis MP seeking carers views on the future of care and support.

An influential committee of MPs have today published a report on the support available to carers. Carers UK has welcomed their call for replacement of the current 'outdated' carers' benefits.

Carers UK is backing carer Helen Coughlan's fight to obtain the care package her disabled brother desperately needs, but which is being drastically reduced by her local Primary Care Trust in Redbridge, Surrey.

Carers can't wait. That was the message coming loud and clear from a series of meetings attended by hundreds of the UK's carers in July 2008.