A leading carers’ charity says “a lot” of carers do not want a wage.
The controversial claim was made by Emily Holzhausen, director of policy for Carers UK.
Emily Holzhausen of Carers UK, who says many carers don’t want a wage
Despite promoting itself as a “champion” of carers’ rights, the charity does not campaign for a carers wage.
Meanwhile, tens of thousands of people have signed petitions for carers to receive a wage.
‘Money would change the relationship’
Holzhausen said the charity’s feedback suggests many carers do their work out of love, and money would change the relationship.
Autism Eye asked Carers UK if it had survey evidence to support Holzhausen’s claim.
The charity responded by offering a statement saying it had “mixed” feedback.
Campaign for the minimum wage
Pensioner Peter George is an unpaid carer.
In 2014, he launched a petition on website 38degrees.org.uk calling for carers to get the minimum wage.
It attracted more than 31,000 supporters. Click here to see the campaign.
In an email, George said “unpaid carers have been losing out for years”.
He told Autism Eye: “It would make sense to keep Carers Allowance as the main carers benefit, but the terms and conditions need to be looked at, plus the amount paid increased dramatically.”
He added: “One of the biggest bones of contention is the fact that carers who receive the state pension, though eligible to Carers Allowance, don’t get paid it, due to the DWP ‘overlapping’ rule – the caring continues, yet the pensioner carers are ‘tied’ to their roles, whereas non-carer pensioners on exactly the same state pension can go out and enjoy themselves!”
Second campaign for the mimimum wage
A more recent 38degrees petition by David Shepherd, also calling for carers to get the minimum wage, has attracted more than 84,000 signatures. Click here to see the campaign.
Carers UK says carers save the economy £132 billion a year.
The charity says it prefers to focus on campaigning for a rise in Carer’s Allowance, which is worth just £67.25 per week.
In some cases, family members can get a wage through direct payments.
Paying a wage is ‘right for them’
Ruby Peacock is head of policy for Carers UK. She said the charity “absolutely recognise” that paying some family members a wage is “right for them”.
And Peacock said greater flexibility in direct payments would improve some carers’ finances.
But she said an increase in Carer’s Allowance, and helping carers stay in work, would help all carers.
Related:
- Plea to give carers the breaks they need
- Carers’ plight on World Autism Day
- Parent carers in line for a better deal
- Carers sick with money worries
Published: 21 August 2020
