News releases

Unpaid carers to get protection at work following landmark European Court of Justice case
17 July 2008 The European Court of Justice today ruled that the laws which protect disabled people against discrimination apply not only to the person themselves, but also to their unpaid carer.

Carers Scotland welcomes more breaks for carers
17 July 2008 Carers Scotland warmly welcomes the announcement made by Shona Robison, the Minister for Public Health, to provide an additional 10,000 extra weeks of respite care for Scotland’s 660,000 unpaid carers.

Scotland’s unpaid carers let down!
10 June 2008 UK Strategy fails to deliver on better benefits for Scotland's carers

Caring costs Scotland’s carers dear!
09 June 2008 New evidence shows that 77% of unpaid carers’ health suffers as a result of caring.

Carers hit by abolition of 10p tax rate
22 April 2008 A charity representing the Scotland’s 660,000 carers today called on Government to compensate carers affected by the recent tax changes, including the abolition of the 10p tax rate.

Carers urged to check council tax
01 April 2008 With Council Tax bills for 2008 now being issued Carers Scotland is urging carers to make sure they are paying the correct amount. It is not widely publicised but some carers could qualify for up to 50% off their council tax bills.

Unpaid carers’ learning celebrated in film premiere
04 March 2008 Carers Scotland in partnership with learndirect scotland, Glasgow College of Nautical Studies, City & Guilds and Heirloom Media Ltd will premiere a short film on 6 March 2008 at the Glasgow Film Theatre, 12 Rose Street, Glasgow. The film features four unpaid carers who have stepped back into learning and undertaken the Learning for Living programme.

Carers Scotland welcomes Select Committee inquiry into the DWP's approach to carers
29 February 2008 Carers Scotland has welcomed the announcement of an inquiry into the Department for Work and Pensions’ approach to carers, which will cover information and advice, income and benefits, employment and training, equality and recognition.

Carers learning celebrated in film premiere
22 February 2008 Carers Scotland in partnership with Learn Direct Scotland, Glasgow College of Nautical Studies, City & Guilds and Heirloom Media Ltd will premiere a short film featuring four unpaid carers who have stepped back into learning and undertaken the Learning for Living programme. Their stories are courageous, inspiring and highlight the challenges and rewards of learning by building on their experience and skills as carers.

Carers Scotland and Carers UK hail landmark case as millions of carers get protection at work
31 January 2008 A carer has won the initial stages of her case at the European Court of Justice which could give new rights to millions of carers.

Carers lose £11,000 a year in earnings
07 December 2007 New statistics, published to coincide with Carers Scotland’s Carers Rights Day, Friday 7 December 2007, show that the average loss in earnings last year by carers who had either to give up their job, reduce their hours or take a more junior position in order to care for sick, frail or disabled relatives or partners, was £11,291. Financial compensation through the Carer’s Allowance benefit – provided a carer is eligible by earning under £95 a week – is just £48.65 a week.

Carers Scotland and Carers UK spells out a new social contract for carers
21 November 2007 A ground-breaking new study released today (Wednesday 21 November 2007) by Carers Scotland and Carers UK sets out the design of a new social contract for care which would revolutionise the way care is delivered in the 21st century

Social care system is failing four million working age carers
10 October 2007 New research by Carers Scotland and Carers UK highlights the challenges facing health and social care services in the face of demographic change

Millions of carers anxiously await outcome of landmark employment case
09 October 2007 Carers UK, Carers Scotland and the millions of carers that it represents, are anxiously waiting for the outcome of the landmark employment case that is being heard by the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg today (9.10.07), which could radically reform how carers are treated in the workplace.

Unpaid carers save Scotland £7.6 billion
20 September 2007 New report shows 54 per cent increase in value of unpaid care in Scotland

Carers Scotland welcomes rise in earnings limit on main carer’s benefit
20 September 2007 Carers Scotland welcomed the UK Government’s announcement that the earnings limit on Carer’s Allowance is set to rise to £95 on 1 October 2007, after listening to the Carers Scotland's concerns that carers were losing out because of rises in the National Minimum Wage.

Prime Minister's statement on carers
03 September 2007 The Prime Minister Gordon Brown has today announced a new standing commission on carers. Read an extract from his speech.

Carers Scotland welcomes funding announcement
14 June 2007 Carers Scotland welcomed an announcement by Minister for Public Health, Shona Robison of a funding package of £400,000 to support carers.

Real change not short change: guiding carers to their rights
12 June 2007 Carers Scotland will launch a major publication "Carers and their Rights: a guide to the law relating to carers" on Thursday 14 June at the Scottish Parliament.

Carers UK response to the DTI announcement today
09 November 2006 Carers UK response to the DTI announcement today (Thursday 9 November 2006) of the definition of a carer under the Work and Families Act 2006