Oral Answers to Questions

Munira Wilson Excerpts

Monday 11th May 2020 Commons Chamber

[Munira Wilson (Twickenham) (LD)]

What recent assessment she has made of the potential merits of increasing carer’s allowance.

[The Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work (Justin Tomlinson)]

The Government recognise and appreciate the vital role played by unpaid carers now more than ever. We have already made changes to the carer’s allowance rules to reflect changes to patterns of care during the current emergency. Since 2010, the rate of carer’s allowance has increased from £53.90 to £67.25 a week, meaning nearly an additional £700 a year for carers.

[Munira Wilson [V]]

My constituent, Natalie Hay, is a full-time unpaid carer for her son, who has Lyme disease and ME. She is entitled to that paltry £67 per week as long as she does not earn any more than £128 per week, but with the pandemic, she is having to shield her son and home-school two children and has lost all respite care and additional support, so a few hours’ paid work is out of the question. She feels completely forgotten about by the Government. Does the Minister think it is possible to live on the equivalent of £1.91 per hour, and will he commit—

[Mr Speaker]

Order. I am sorry, but that question was far too long.