Valuing and supporting carers: Work and Pensions Select Committee publish new report

The Work and Pensions Select Committee today published a report with recommendations to the government entitled 'Valuing and supporting carers'. This is based on the findings of an inquiry to examine the effectiveness of the DWP's existing approach to carers, in light of the government's ongoing review of the carers strategy.

One in five carers feel forced to give up work due to the pressures of trying to balance work and caring responsibilities and the report recognises the strong relationship between increased hours of caring per week and living in poverty.

In addition to supporting the right for carers to request flexible working hours, the Committee makes recommendations to increase the amount that carers can earn before they lose their Carers Allowance, coupled with a tapering effect, which would undoubtedly help alleviate poverty. The Trust urges the government to act swiftly and implement these proposals.

We believe that the Committee is right to call for urgent action on the reform of Carers Allowance, to rectify its low level and the difficulties in claiming it. Proposals announced as part of the Carers Strategy this year did not directly address this issue, instead naming benefits reform as a long-term priority.

In the report the Committee propose to increase the allowance to equal Job Seekers Allowance, which would mean an extra £450 a year for a carer. This could prove invaluable and would right the anomaly of someone who spends more than 35 hours per week caring receiving less than somebody who is unemployed.

The possibility of a second payment to help with the extra costs involved in caring for a disabled person, gives due recognition to the sacrifices that many families have to make. However, The Trust believes that this two-tiered benefit system would have to be clear and easy to access, to ensure carers do receive these benefits.

Another important issue highlighted by the report is the contradiction that carers who wish to enter training or education lose their Allowance if it is for more than 21 hours per week. The Trust supports the call for the government to look at lifting this rule, as it prevents carers from seeking to develop new skills and moving back into work.

The Committee noted the excellent support services The Princess Royal Trust Carers’ Centres deliver across the UK, which we believe provide the desired national network of centres proposed by the committee.

To further expand this national network, so that every community has a centre, would require investment. The government must consider this as the number of carers grows with an ageing population and a trend towards more sick and disabled people recovering at home.

Further information

Visit the Committe's website for the full report: Valuing and supporting carers along with background information on the inquiry

For press information, spokespeople or interviews with carers please contact Sarah Ross at The Princess Royal Trust for Carers on 0208 498 7920