Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of extending the eligibility criteria for carer's allowance during the covid-19 outbreak.

The role that unpaid carers play has perhaps been more important than ever during the current emergency. That is why we have focussed on ensuring carers do not inadvertently stop receiving Carer’s Allowance because of changes to patterns of care. This includes allowing emotional support to count towards the 35 hours of care being provided by the carer as well as relaxing the rules around breaks in care. These changes aimed to support carers whose role, in many cases, became harder due to the need to self-isolate or shield the person they care for. And I am pleased to be able to say that we have decided to extend these provisions until 12 May 2021. This is good news for those unpaid carers receiving Carer’s Allowance who need some extra flexibility in the way they provide care during the current emergency, so as to continue to protect themselves and the people they are caring for.