A campaign has been launched urging the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to raise Carer’s Allowance to £1,600 per month, matching the National Minimum Wage rate. Currently, unpaid carers providing a minimum of 35 hours of support receive £327.60 every four weeks from the DWP. The proposal seeks to increase this allowance to £400.40 per week or £1,601.60 per four-week period, aligning it with the minimum wage of £11.44 per hour.
Emma Roberts, the creator of the petition, argues that Carer’s Allowance, currently valued at around £2.34 per hour, is a taxable benefit that impacts other benefits like Universal Credit. The petition highlights the significant contribution of unpaid carers to the economy, estimated at £445 million per day in England and Wales, yet the current allowance amounts to only £4,258.80 annually, which is considered insufficient given the invaluable service provided by carers.
Following the Autumn Budget announcement by Chancellor Rachel Reeves, the earnings threshold for carers will increase from £151 to £196 per week from the next financial year. This adjustment allows carers on the allowance to earn over £10,000 annually. The Scottish Government is yet to confirm if a similar raise will apply to Carer Support Payment recipients in Scotland.
The online petition titled ‘Increase Carer’s Allowance to equal minimum wage’ has garnered attention, with calls for the UK Government to address the disparity between the current allowance and the proposed increase. At 10,000 signatures, the petition qualifies for a written response, while 100,000 signatures would trigger a parliamentary debate on the matter.
In conclusion, the campaign highlights the pressing need to recognise the essential role of unpaid carers and adequately compensate them for their dedication and hard work. By aligning Carer’s Allowance with the National Minimum Wage, carers can receive fair remuneration for their invaluable contribution to society.