Real change not short change

A radical transformation of carer benefits and other financial support
 

The problem

Caring can have a devastating impact on carers’ finances. One in five carers is forced to give up work, losing on average £11,000 in income.

Carers are being short changed by an outdated benefits system that doesn’t recognise their contribution to society. The main benefit for carers - Carer's Allowance - is just £50 a week – the lowest of its kind. Unfair rules act as a disincentive for carers who are able to work, while some, including those over 65 or sick, miss out on carers’ benefits altogether.

What we want

Carers UK’s Real change not short change campaign is calling on the Government to radically reform the tax and benefit system so that it is

• Based on the contribution carers make, rather than on the work/income they have to give up.
• Transparent and fair to all carers.
• Easy to access and unbureaucratic.
  

Specifically we want

Specifically we are calling for Carer’s Allowance to be changed to a two tier benefit for all carers providing 35 hours per week, irrespective of age and raised to the level of the State Pension (currently £87.30). It would have

• A higher level for carers who cannot work.
• Flexibility to recognise the different circumstances of carers and the impact that caring can have on people’s lives. This includes the hours spent caring and the number of people being cared for.
• Financial incentives that help carers combine work and care.
• Removal of restrictions on the hours carers can study.

What has the campaign done so far?

• In May 2007 we published hard evidence of the impact caring has on your finances
• In November 2007 a delegation of carers delivered over 8,000 of your messages to Number 10 Downing Street.
• Convinced Government to carry out a review of carer benefits as part of its National Strategy for Carers.

What next for the campaign?

We are bitterly disappointed that our hopes for the Strategy delivering some immediate improvements to carers' incomes have not been met. However, we are determined to redouble our campaigning efforts and our immediate goal is to get the Government to give us details about their proposed review of carer benefits.

We're organising a Parliamentary lobby for December 4th to keep the pressure up.