What is the Government doing to help carers ?

Tarbatness

Way back in 2008, the Labour Government produced a 10 year plan for carers under the Carers Review, sadly, before taking action on much of it, they lost control of the country and we carers lost out. Then we get to this Tory Government and their track record - according to the 2011 Census 1 in 10 of the population are carers and this number will only increase. The Care Act 2014 introduced new rights for carers and put them on the same footing as the people they care for. The Children and Families Act 2014 extended the rights of young carers. Between March and July 2016, the Department of Health put out a call for evidence " How can we improve support for carers ?" 6802 people and organisations responded with their views, experiences and suggestions. We are now awaiting the Government`s Green Paper on Older People and Social Care, publication of which has already been delayed several times, but a Green Paper is only for discussion ! It`ll be, at least another two years before any recommendations are actually proposed and put to Parliament - two or three readings, Upper House approval etc. etc. another 6 months or more..... Again, it is the unpaid carer, in particular, that`s missing out, that is not getting the recognition, the support or the financial reward so desperately needed, now, (not in 3 years time) ! 

Carers Allowance - the main benefit for carers - needs a total overhaul, not only for the abysmal amount paid (less than £1.85 an hour) but also in the way it is paid. At retirement age, pensioner carers lose out, if their State Pension pays more than Carers Allowance, as both are deemed to serve the same purpose, to replace forgone income (overlapping benefits). However, the State Pension should be there to provide for the pensioner, not to subsidise any additional costs incurred for the care of others !

Pippa_Alumni

Thank you for sharing this with us @Tarbatness, I'm sure many others will agree with your thoughts!