In July Carers UK and ninety two other charities, wrote a joint letter to Work and Pensions Secretary Therese Coffey calling for urgent extra financial support to unpaid carers to ensure “they are supported during the Coronavirus crisis and beyond”.
A copy of the letter was sent to the Chancellor.
Carers UK says that “Despite the huge contribution they make, too many carers and their families face financial hardship. Taking on a caring role can result in sharp reductions in income for families, due to the extra costs associated with caring; these pressures are further exacerbated when people feel they have no choice but to leave paid work to provide care unpaid.The Coronavirus crisis has only compounded the difficulties many carers face “
To alleviate the financial hardship that many unpaid carers face, the letter urgently called for:
- an additional supplement to match the £20 per week increases in Universal Credit that have rightly recognised the challenges people on lower incomes have during the pandemic of additional costs
- an accompanying rises to Carer Premium and Carer Addition and for this payment to be made to carers with an underlying entitlement to Carer’s Allowance, so older carers on low incomes can also benefit
- for the earnings limit for claiming Carer’s Allowance to be raised to the National Living Wage (£139.42 per week), to ensure those juggling work and care on low pay also receive support.
Read more about the Fairer for Carers Campaign on the Carers UK website.
