New call for DWP to increase Carer’s Allowance payments to £1,600 each month

A new online petition is urging the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to raise Carer’s Allowance payments to match the National Minimum Wage rate of £11.44 per hour, translating to a weekly payment of £400.40 or £1,601.60 every four weeks. Currently, unpaid carers providing a minimum of 35 hours of support receive £327.60 every four weeks from the DWP. The petition, created by Emma Roberts, highlights the disparity in the current Carer’s Allowance rate, which is set to increase by 1.7% to £333.20 per pay period in April next year.

Roberts argues that Carer’s Allowance equates to around £2.34 per hour, is taxable, and impacts other benefits like Universal Credit. The petition stresses the significant contribution unpaid carers make to the economy, estimated at £162 billion annually, yet they receive only £4,258.80 per year in Carer’s Allowance. The petition aims to bring attention to the financial challenges faced by carers who rely on this benefit.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced during the Autumn Budget that the earnings threshold for unpaid carers will rise from £151 to £196 from April, allowing carers to earn over £10,000 a year. Scottish carers receiving the Carer Support Payment, a devolved benefit, will have to wait for the upcoming Scottish Budget to see if the threshold increase will be mirrored in Scotland.

The online petition titled ‘Increase Carer’s Allowance to equal minimum wage’ has been submitted on the petitions.parliament website. If the petition garners 10,000 signatures, it will prompt a written response from the UK Government; reaching 100,000 signatures would trigger a debate in Parliament.

In summary, the petition calling for an increase in Carer’s Allowance aims to address the financial struggles of unpaid carers who play a vital role in society. It underscores the discrepancy between the current allowance rate and the value of care provided, advocating for fair compensation that reflects the National Minimum Wage. The petition seeks to highlight the economic and personal hardships faced by carers, emphasizing the need for a more equitable system of support.