Carers and Poverty: Carers UK Report

Baroness Watkins of Tavistock Excerpts

Thursday 21st November 2024 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

There is to be an increase in the carer’s allowance from April of next year. The change we have made in the earnings limit will, over the next four to six years, bring in an additional 60,000 people who were previously not eligible. The DWP is very conscious of a number of the pressures on unpaid and other carers and will continue to look at that. Further developments will be reported.

[Baroness Watkins of Tavistock (CB)]

My Lords, has further consideration been given to reducing or having an amnesty on repayments by carers who were overpaid due to the complex algorithm involved in being able to work for a certain amount of money? Having acknowledged that they should be able to earn at least another £2,000 without such a disadvantage, could we not cancel the situation for many, particularly over this winter, before the new carer’s allowance comes in?