A livestream of the parliamentary debate on the Carer's Allowance following an E-petition due to Carer's being penalised by DWP. In the UK, pensioners aren't even allowed to claim a Carer's allowance.
I know a pensioner that looks after her disabled son 24/7 because he didn't want to live in a residential home anymore. She's been looking after since him turned 21 and he is now 36 years old, he wasn't even receiving PIP until 2023, although she had tried many times to get DWP to consider his case. His mother has saved social services a huge amount by him not being put in residential care.
In 2024/25, Carer's allowance is worth £81.90 a week, not a lot for 24.7 care. Carer's Allowance is a payment to people for caring "regularly and substantially' for a person who receives a qualifying disability benefit. It is an "income replacement benefit", designed to provide financial support who give up the chance to work full-time in order to provide care.
The Government's response - given on 23rd October, 2023 - stated that Carer's Allowance was a "benefit that provides some financial recognition that a carer may not be able to work full-time", and was part of "a range of support based on individual needs, rather than a wage". It said the Government fully recognised the "invaluable contribution" and "vital role" of unpaid and family carers.
https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cdp-2024-0078/
My own mother was a carer for her mother and her aunt, there were no carer's allowance in those days, in fact, it was introduced in 1976. Not only that but she also cared for my dad after he had been diagnosed with cancer, has far as I'm aware she didn't receive any carer's allowance for looking after dad either. He passed over at age 57 in the 80s, not only that but they didn't receive any of his pension either. Even though he started work at age 13, and was a high earner and high tax payer.
There is going to be a select committee on this matter later in the week and a Carer's Strategy is required and all parties agree.
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