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Department for Work and Pensions written question – answered at on 19 July 2017.

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Photo of Lord Pendry Lord Pendry Labour

Her Majesty's Government whether they are considering a review of Carers Allowance to ensure that it is sufficient to meet the financial support needs of carers.

Photo of Baroness Buscombe Baroness Buscombe The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions

This Government recognises and appreciates the valuable support that carers provide to those with care needs.

Since 2010 the rate of Carer’s Allowance has increased from £53.90 to £62.70 a week, meaning an additional £450 a year for carers. Carer’s Allowance is excluded from the benefit freeze and is uprated annually in line with the Consumer Prices Index.

Carers on low incomes can access other financial support through income-related benefits. Income Support, Housing Benefit and Pension Credit include an additional carer’s premium of £34.95 a week. Universal Credit includes a carer’s element of £151.89 per monthly assessment period. People entitled to Carer’s Allowance or the carer’s element in Universal Credit are not subject to the benefit cap.

As society ages and care needs increase, it is important that carers are able to combine caring with paid employment, or return to paid work when their caring duties allow. The Government’s Fuller Working Lives Strategy, published in February 2017, sets out proposals to help carers combine work and care or prepare for returning to the labour market. In addition, earned income up to £116 net a week is ignored for the purposes of Carer’s Allowance. Means-tested benefits and Universal Credit also provide for care to be combined with earnings.

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