Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessments he has made of the adequacy of financial support available from the public purse for unpaid carers.

This Government recognises and values the vital contribution made by carers in supporting some of the most vulnerable in society.

The Government is supporting carers in a number of ways, including through the benefit system. The rate of Carer’s Allowance, the main social security benefit for carers, has increased from £53.90 in 2010 to £66.15 a week, meaning an additional £635 a year for carers since 2010. Subject to Parliamentary approval, Carer’s Allowance will further increase to £67.25 a week in April 2020. By 2023/24, we are forecast to spend £3.7 billion a year on Carer’s Allowance.

The Government also provides targeted financial support for carers on low incomes through means-tested benefits, including Pension Credit and Universal Credit. Subject to Parliamentary approval, in April 2020, the associated carer premia in means-tested benefits will increase from £36.85 to £37.50 a week; and the carer element in Universal Credit will increase from £160.20 to £162.92 per monthly assessment period. These amounts recognise the additional contribution and responsibilities associated with caring and mean that these benefits can be paid to carers at a higher rate than those without caring responsibilities.

A table of proposed benefit rates for 2020/2021 was deposited in the House libraries on 29 November 2019. https://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/business-papers/commons/deposited-papers/