Carer's Allowance

Oral Answers to Questions — Work and Pensions – in the House of Commons at 2:30 pm on 18 October 2010.

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Photo of Gregg McClymont Gregg McClymont Labour, Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch East 2:30, 18 October 2010

Whether carer's allowance payments will be included in the proposed cap on benefit payments.

Photo of Maria Miller Maria Miller The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions

We expect the benefit cap to apply to the combined income from all main out-of-work benefits. However, we will exempt all households with someone entitled to Disability Living Allowance, many of which will contain claimants receiving carer's allowance.

Photo of Gregg McClymont Gregg McClymont Labour, Cumbernauld, Kilsyth and Kirkintilloch East

I thank the Under-Secretary for that answer. Will she publish her assessment of the impact of the policy on poverty among carers?

Photo of Maria Miller Maria Miller The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions

I thank the hon. Gentleman for his question. We obviously want to ensure that the policy works for everybody involved. The benefit system is designed to maintain a basic income for carers when caring responsibilities prevent them from working full time. It is right that carer's allowance is paid with reference to what families could expect to earn if they were in fully paid work, but we will keep the policy under review and ensure that it works for carers.

R

In other words, No she wont! Its unclear whether this is because the impact assessment hasnt been done, or because it is simply too embarassing to publish.

Submitted by Rob Kay Read 2 more annotations

disability living allowance

Allowance for those who need help looking after themselves. Not means tested.

Factsheet from RNID here: http://www.rnid.org.uk/html/factsheets/benefits_disability_allowance_and_deaf_people.htm

Official page from Department for Work and Pensions here: http://www.dwp.gov.uk/lifeevent/benefits/disability_liv_allowance.asp