In 2006 we launched our Real Change not Short Change campaign to make sure that income issues would be tackled by the Government's National Strategy for Carers. The campaign had two aims - a radical overhaul of carer benefits and immediate improvement to Carer's Allowance to help the thousands of carers who are living on low incomes.

What does the Strategy say?

The Government in its National Strategy accepts that carer benefits are in need of reform and have promised a review. However, we are bitterly disappointed that our hopes for the Strategy delivering some immediate improvements to carers' incomes have not been met. As part of the income task force informing the recommendations to Ministers, Carers UK's representatives argued forcefully that carers needed help now.

With regards to the review of carer benefits, the Strategy document says that, "society benefits greatly from the care that family and friends provide. Is is therefore reasonable for the Government to provide help and support to ensure a minimum level of income for carers who are unable to work. We acknowledge that the current structure of benefits for carers needs to be reviewed. We must create a system of carers' benefits that is able to provide support where it is most needed and that can adapt to the wide range of needs that carers have."

This promised review will take place in the context of the wider benefit reform and the review of care and support (ie looking at how elderly and disabled people are supported to live independently).

The Strategy says that the principles used to guide this reform are:

• to recognise the contribution that carers make to society
• to make it easier for carers to combine caring with work, or preparing for work
• to reflect the diversity of carers' circumstances and caring responsibilities

Carers UK is glad to see that the review will heed these principles which carers have said are important.

What next for the campaign?

There will be a General Election before July 2010 and in the meantime, we cannot allow carer benefits to slip off the agenda. We must show politicians of all parties and the public that carer benefits is an issue worth caring about.

Our immediate goal is to get the Government to give details about their proposed review. What will be the timescale? Who will be involved? We have already requested meetings with relevant Ministers to discuss this. Watch this space for further details of our campaign.