Carer’s Allowance

Vince supports the recognition of young carers as part of the broader discussion on unpaid care. He highlights that some young carers can be as young as five years old, underlining the importance of including their needs in any policy changes.

Shannon supports Davey's motion and emphasises the need for those who work a few hours after caring to qualify for Carer’s Allowance, acknowledging that current restrictions can be overly punitive.

Hussain recognises the mental health challenges faced by carers, particularly young ones. He cites an example of a 16-year-old carer who won an award for her dedication and stresses that beyond benefits, there is a need for comprehensive support including mental health services.

Lewis questions the fairness of cases where individuals are wrongly advised about their eligibility for Carer’s Allowance and subsequently face significant financial penalties. He calls for better recourse to justice in such instances, highlighting issues of incompetence and maladministration.

Pays tribute to Ed Davey for bringing the subject of carers to the House, highlighting the importance of listening to those with direct experience. Mentions that there are 5 million carers in the UK and about 1 million people receive Carer’s Allowance, emphasising the need for tailored support for family carers. Criticises the previous Government for failing to address overpayments of Carer's Allowance and welcomes the current government’s review into these issues.

Asks if the government can do more work to raise awareness among people who are unaware they could be labeled as carers and thus eligible for support.

Joins in paying tribute to millions of carers, noting that daily stresses can make it difficult for them to remember to notify the DWP about changes in their circumstances.

Points out that many constituents face difficulties with overpayments and asks if there is a way to ensure those who followed official advice are not penalized unfairly for following it.

Asks for assurance on the protection of whistleblowers within the DWP if they have information about maladministration or poor management.

Suggests that there should be a failsafe system in place so that recipients of overpayments do not need to pay back any money if they were not notified of the issue.

Asks for confirmation that the review will look into the structure of Carer’s Allowance, including the earnings limit.

Order. May I gently say to the Minister that she should look towards the Chair when speaking? I struggle to hear when she is constantly looking the other way. We operate in the third person, which is why Members should always speak through the Chair. Otherwise, I struggle to catch the words.

Fourteen years!

Will the Minister give way?

For all the talk of a £22 billion black hole, the value that carers give to the economy is £162 billion. Does the Minister agree that it is an absolute scandal that many carers are struggling financially?

Welcomed the debate on carers and acknowledged their significant contributions. Criticised the Liberal Democrats' motion for political motives, suggesting it would not gain widespread support. Highlighted measures brought forward by his party when in Government to support carers, including an increase in carer's allowance, statutory entitlement to one week per year of carer’s leave, funding through the better care fund, and rights provided under the Care Act 2014. Discussed complexities around carer’s allowance, earnings limits, adjustments for equipment and travel costs, and the challenge of notifying people about their status relative to these limits. Emphasised the need for simplicity in the system despite proposals for a tapering approach. Stressed the importance of addressing fraud and overpayments while maintaining support for carers.

Challenged Mel Stride's assertion that unpaid carers' break was brought in by the Conservative Government, noting it was introduced through a private Member’s Bill. Asked if Stride would join efforts to request a higher earnings limit for carer’s allowance.

Asked Mel Stride to support the Liberal Democrats in asking the Minister to allow a higher level of earnings, arguing this is crucial for those who need carer's allowance but are prevented from accessing it.

Pointed out the complexity in the system outlined by Mel Stride, suggesting it reflects why there has been a scandal and argued for simplification during the carer’s allowance review. Noted that many unpaid carers do not work 35 hours per week.

Questioned whether Mel Stride would accept that the Department for Work and Pensions is in a mess, impacting unpaid carers who suffer due to the system's inefficiencies.

Asked if a bonus from an employer pushing a carer over the earnings limit should result in loss of carer’s allowance.

I very much welcome the Minister’s opening comments and the announcement of an independent Government review of carer’s allowance overpayments. I highlight issues faced by unpaid carers, such as inadequate support for those caring for loved ones with severe conditions like Alzheimer’s and dementia. Many carers are living in poverty due to low allowances and restrictions on eligibility, including limitations for young carers and students. A report from Carers UK found that 1.2 million unpaid carers live in poverty, with one in ten experiencing deep poverty. An immediate increase in the earnings limit and a taper could lift many out of poverty. Moreover, carer’s allowance does not cover those receiving the state pension unless their pension amount is lower than the weekly value of the allowance, and it can disqualify the care recipient from additional benefits like severe disability premiums. I urge the Government to address these loopholes urgently.

I agree with my hon. Friend that women are disproportionately affected by the low carer’s allowance and face higher levels of poverty as a result of their caregiving duties.

While I support more funding for carers, it is crucial to recognise that financial support alone is insufficient. Carers need broader community support from charities and local groups to address their mental health concerns and allow them to stay in education longer.

Welcomes the review of overpayments but raises concerns about carer’s allowance failing to meet its objectives. Questions the Government's lack of clarity on the aims and metrics for carer’s allowance. Points out that a third of households receiving carer’s allowance are food insecure, with 600 people per day giving up work due to caring responsibilities. Proposes an increase in carer’s allowance as an immediate remedy. Criticises the earnings allowance system which stops carers from working more than 13 hours a week without losing their benefit and suggests that this system is set up to make people fail. Emphasises the importance of enabling people to take on more hours and progress in their jobs, especially for young carers who are often scared to risk losing benefits. Discusses the Department for Work and Pensions’ failure to support young carers accessing education. Welcomes the reference to the Carer’s Leave Act 2023 but expresses disappointment over the lack of paid leave provisions in the Employment Rights Bill. Asks for an update on the likely timescales regarding the implementation of the act. Raises concern about retired carers losing their allowance due to state pension claims, especially female pensioners who are more likely to be in poverty.

Welcomed the opportunity to make her maiden speech and paid tribute to her predecessors, highlighting the importance of carers in communities. She spoke about the economic challenges faced by Clwyd North due to rising costs and flatlining wages, emphasising the need for economic growth and breaking down barriers to opportunity.

Focused on a constituent's experience with carer’s allowance over-payments. He highlighted the unfairness of the system, where small overpayments lead to significant financial penalties for carers who are already struggling financially. He called for a review of the system and immediate support for carers in debt distress.

I congratulate the hon. Members for Clwyd North and Weston-super-Mare on their maiden speeches. I hear such heartbreaking stories of families caring for their loved ones again and again across Harpenden, Berkhamsted and Tring. Recent censuses have shown that there are thousands of unpaid carers or family carers across the constituency. Our carers are the equivalent of a second NHS. Not only do they support their loved ones but they prop up our healthcare service. It is estimated that they contribute £162 billion a year compared with an estimated £164 billion in funding for the NHS, making their contribution vital. I call on the Government to support carers to juggle work and care, and bring carers into the review.

The enormous contributions made to our communities by unpaid or family carers have rightly been recognised across the House. The treatment of unpaid carers, unknowingly overpaid their carer’s allowance under the previous Administration, was unacceptable. Local benefits advice has been invaluable for residents in Hertford and Stortford; I welcome today’s announcement from the Minister that the Government will launch a review into carer’s allowance overpayments. I am pleased that the review will look at not only what went wrong previously but how we can prevent such problems in the future. The commitment to introduce flexible working as a right, provide time away from work for caring responsibilities, and join up services so constituents do not have to battle to get care is essential.

The carer’s allowance overpayment scandal highlights deep flaws in our social security system. Unpaid carers, dedicating their lives to caring for loved ones, are being unfairly penalised. The Government must take responsibility and compensate carers for overpayments that could have been prevented. Financial instability is just one aspect of the difficulties carers face; 29% of unpaid carers in the UK live in poverty, many forced to leave work due to their caring responsibilities. We need urgent reform of carer’s allowance, better pay for care workers and more support for unpaid carers.

I welcome the debate on carer’s allowance overpayments and the Minister’s announcement of an independent review. Around one in five carers who are doing paid work and claiming carer’s allowance have had an overpayment in the last year; this has pushed many unpaid carers to breaking point through no fault of their own. The Carers UK “State of Caring” report estimates that 1.2 million unpaid carers are living in poverty, with 400,000 living in deep poverty and 75% struggling with cost of living pressures.

I want to thank Pam Bagnall, Hans Windheuser, Frankie Ranwell-Jones for their support at the general election. I look forward to challenging and holding the Government to account on issues like sewage in our seas and the housing crisis in Torbay. The managing director of the steam railway does something amazing every year for carers; we need to enhance payments and ensure there is a guarantee of respite care.

The hon. Member emphasised the challenges faced by professional carers providing support to unpaid carers like himself. He pointed out that remuneration rates for mileage in Scotland have not been revised since 2011 despite significant inflation increases, leading to a situation where many professionals are unable to afford their expenses.

The hon. Member shared his experience as an employer under the direct payments system, highlighting the bureaucratic complexity of managing care, such as dealing with local authority complaints and equipment issues for disabled children.

The hon. Member advocated for statutory respite breaks for carers to ensure they can rest, as well as a fair increase in carer’s allowance and an uplift of the thresholds to avoid pushing carers into poverty.

Welcomed the use of the term 'family carers' and highlighted the significant role of young carers. Acknowledged that all carers have been given a raw deal and praised the Government’s announcement for an independent review of the carer's allowance overpayments, led by an expert.

Stressed the undervaluation and invisibility felt by carers. Cited specific examples such as Harry and Margret to illustrate the challenges faced by carers due to overpayment issues, lack of recognition, and stress on their health and wellbeing.

Expressed personal experience as a parent carer for her daughter Maria with cerebral palsy. Highlighted the significant economic contribution made by women in unpaid care and welcomed the Government’s commitment to work collaboratively.

Acknowledged the complexity of the benefit system leading to overpayment issues for many carers. Urged the Minister to consider specific points raised by constituents and called for an apology from the Government for pushing carers into hardship.

Condemns the previous Conservative Government for failing to address the carer’s allowance scandal. Highlights that unpaid carers save taxpayers £162 billion annually and emphasises the importance of changing the Department for Work and Pensions’ culture to support carers rather than making them feel like criminals. Questions the government's stance on stopping recoupment attempts, granting amnesty on past overpayments, considering tapering allowances, and consulting on threshold requirements.

I am pleased to respond to this vital debate, which has been one of the best I have heard in my two years here. The issue is clearly of concern to many Members. I echo tributes paid to family carers for their tireless work. An underlying anger exists at the position inherited from the last Government regarding overpayments faced by carers. We are making sure we understand precisely what went wrong to put the system right for the long term. Our family carers deserve no less. Many Members spoke about their experiences as carers or local support they provide, and I have personally witnessed the dedication of carers through my constituency work. The Minister for Social Security and Disability has met with a delegation from Carers UK and will meet separately with the Carers Trust and the Learning and Work Institute to ensure that family carers’ voices are at the heart of everything we do. We plan record spending on carer’s allowance, which will rise from £4.2 billion in 2024-25 to just over £4.7 billion a year by 2028-29.