Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he will take to ensure that young carers who also attend university full-time are eligible for the Carer's Allowance.

The Government recognises and appreciates the vital contribution made by all informal carers.

We think it is right that people in full-time education should be supported by the educational maintenance system, via its range of loans and grants, rather than the social security benefit system. That is why, as a general principle, full-time students are usually precluded from entitlement to income-related and income-maintenance benefits, including Carer’s Allowance. Part-time students may be able to claim Carer’s Allowance though. This reflects long-standing principles of the benefit system and we have no plans to change the rules.

Department for Work and Pensions officials work very closely with their Department for Education and Department of Health and Social Care counterparts to ensure that young carers get the help and support they need.