Pressure on carers from the worsening cost-of-living crisis has turned the spotlight on the need for a substantial increase in Carer’s Allowance.
The current squeeze on household incomes has exacerbated a situation that has long been a sore subject for many carers.
On a par with other benefits
Campaigner Peter George believes the Government should give Carer’s Allowance a massive boost and put it on a par with other benefits.
He had previously been fighting for carers to be paid the minimum wage.
Pensioner George, an unpaid carer, launched a petition on 38degrees.org.uk to that effect back in 2014. It has attracted more than 31,000 supporters.
But he now believes it is not realistic to expect the Government to pay carers a wage.
Instead, he thinks it is an achievable ambition to fight for a rate of Carer’s Allowance that is on a par with other benefits, such as Employment and Support Allowance.
This is currently worth up to £117.60 per week. In contrast, Carer’s Allowance is worth just £69.70 per week.
In an email, George said he believes there is a “far better chance” of the Government paying Carer’s Allowance at the same rate as other benefits than persuading it to pay carers a wage.
‘Unprecedented financial hardship’
Charity Carers UK says the cost of living crisis has caused “unprecedented financial hardship” for carers.
The crisis has seen gas and electricity bills double to almost £2,000 per year.
And while everyday prices have gone up by up to 8 per cent, most state benefits have risen by just 3.1 per cent.
Carers UK wrote to chancellor Rishi Sunak before his spring statement last month. The charity called for a range of measures to help carers.
Call for Carer’s Allowance to rise with prices
These measures included increasing Carer’s Allowance and other benefits to rise in line with prices.
The group also called on Sunak to extend the warm home discount scheme to ensure it includes carers on the lowest incomes.
Carers entitled to the discount can get £140 taken off their electricity bill for winter 2021 to 2022.
A spokesperson for the Department for Work and Pensions said that since 2010 Carer’s Allowance has increased by £700 and that carers may be entitled to other benefits.
The spokesperson added that the cost of living was being fuelled by “global challenges”.
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Published: 20 April 2022
