Carers and Poverty: Carers UK Report

Debate between Baroness Merron and Baroness Altmann

Thursday 21st November 2024 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

I thank my noble friend for that and can assure her that I will be discussing that very point with ministerial colleagues and am happy to return to her on it.

[Baroness Altmann (Non-Afl)]

My Lords, particularly today, will the Minister join me in paying tribute to all carers and care workers, paid or unpaid? Does she agree that, with an ageing population, it is long past time to stop treating care as some kind of second-rate service and to give it parity with the NHS? It saves the NHS significant amounts of money, and carer’s allowance is extremely low. Following the recent Budget, care charities will still have to fund the extra national insurance costs, even though NHS workers are exempt.

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

I, of course, join all noble Lords in paying tribute to care workers, whether paid or unpaid. On paid care workers, that is one of the reasons why, as we move towards a national care service, we have for the first time laid legislation to ensure that there will be a fair pay agreement. On national insurance contributions, I can assure the noble Baroness that the Chancellor considered all the implications of the measures that were announced in the Budget when settlements were made. Further details of those will be announced in due course.