The cross-party Work and Pensions Committee has released a new report, “Transition to State Pension Age” and is supporting calls for the Government to increase Universal Credit for 66-year-olds to prevent hardship as the State Pension age rises to 67.  

Analysis by Carers UK shows that as the State Pension rises around 26,000 unpaid carers who cannot work because of their caring responsibilities will spend an extra year on working-age benefits, leading to a combined loss of approximately £182 million.   

Emily Holzhausen CBE, Director of Policy and Public Affairs, said: 

“Carers UK supports the cross-party Work and Pensions Committee in its call to increase Universal Credit for 66-year-olds as a first step to help supplement lost income for carers with the lowest household finances ahead of retirement.  

“We would, of course, like to see support for unpaid carers go further because thousands of unpaid carers provide essential support to family and friends long before reaching pension age and face a higher risk of financial hardship than those who do not provide care.   

“With around 600 people a day leaving work to provide care, increasing financial vulnerability, Carers UK also wants to see further measures and longer-term support for carers approaching this age. This includes raising the level of Carer’s Allowance to help those who can’t access Universal Credit. 62% of those receiving Carer’s Allowance live in poverty.  

“The government has just launched a six-week call for evidence on Carer’s Allowance, acknowledging that this needs urgent modernisation. Carers and carers organisations therefore have a timely opportunity to make their views heard, because those who provide vital care should be able to do so without the pressures of financial hardship.”