Carers Scotland welcomes rise in earnings limit on main carer’s benefit

Patrick Begley, Director of Carers Scotland said, “Every time the National Minimum Wage rose, carers were often forced off benefit or forced to give up work because the rise was out of step with the rise in how much they were allowed to earn and still keep Carer’s Allowance.

“We are delighted that Westminister Government has listened and come up with this sensible interim measure whilst the review of carers’ benefits is being conducted as part of the UK-wide National Carers Strategy.   We are greatly heartened by this measure and the recognition that the benefit, introduced in 1976, is no longer in keeping with changes today.”

Carers Scotland launched a research report in May 2007 as part of its Real Change not Short Change campaign which showed that carers were struggling to make ends meet, were having trouble juggling work and care, and felt undervalued and unrecognised by the different rules that existed for carers’ benefits and taxes.  The campaign is calling for an overhaul of carers’ benefits and financial situation to try to make ends meet.

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Notes:

1. Carer’s Allowance is the main carer’s benefit worth £48.65 per week.   Carers entitled to the benefit can earn up to £87 per week after deductions and still claim the benefit
2. Carers wanting to sign up to the Real Change Not Short Change campaign should visit: www.carerscotland.org.  This work is part of the Action for Carers and Employment (ACE) initiative project which is funded by the European Social Fund under its Equal Community Initiative Programme.  In Scotland, ACE is led by Carers Scotland and in England by Carers UK.
3. A review of the cross-Governmental National Carers Strategy was announced by Gordon Brown on 21 February 2007.   For further information on the review visit www.dh.gov.uk/newdealforcarers. 
4. The Government announcement states that this will be an interim measure until the review of the National Carers Strategy is complete.