The Petition of Mr Darren Osborne, Carers Poverty Alliance, Carers Poverty Protest and others,
Declares that carers allowance should be paid at a level that gives carers the dignity, quality of life and recognition this hard working group deserves within the benefits system; that all carers who provide 35 hours per week unpaid care for a relative, partner or friend of any age with a long term illness or disability, or who is elderly and frail, be paid an increased allowance regardless of means or receipt of any other benefits, including the state pension; further notes that carers should not be forced to live on a limited income, nor should they have to self fund their caring role, by living off their limited savings; that for these and other valid reasons, carers who provide over 35 hours of care per week should receive an increased carers allowance exempt from assessment for all other benefits and believes that this is in the public interest.
The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urges the Government to pay increased carers allowance, exempt from all other benefit assessment, to all carers who provide over 35 hours of care per week.
And the Petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Bob Spink, Official Report, 2 March 2010; Vol. 506, c. 916.]
[P000746]
Observations from the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions:
The Government are aware of and fully appreciate the hard work and dedication of all those who provide unpaid care for relatives, partners and friends.
The Government are considering a wide range of issues as we develop our plans for welfare reform and a commission on long term care will consider the position of carers in this context.