New research has revealed that more than a million unpaid carers in the UK are living in poverty, with one in 10 struggling to afford basic necessities like food and heating. Campaigners are calling on ministers to address the “unacceptable” levels of hardship faced by carers who are often praised for their sacrifices in supporting the NHS.
The study found that carers are facing financial difficulties due to the flawed design of the main carer benefit, carer’s allowance, which discourages them from taking on part-time paid work. Many carers are forced to quit their jobs to care for loved ones, leading to financial strain on their households.
The recent scandal over carer’s allowance overpayments has highlighted the need for a review of the benefit system to better support carers. Carers UK is calling for an increase in the earnings limit for carer’s allowance to allow carers to work more hours without losing their benefits.
The research also found that carers are disproportionately affected by poverty, with women, people from ethnic minorities, and carers in certain regions of England more likely to be struggling financially. Carers UK estimates that raising the earnings limit for carer’s allowance could lift 50,000 carers out of poverty at a cost of £90 million a year.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has been criticized for its treatment of carers who have inadvertently breached the earnings limit, with many facing repayment demands and threats of prosecution. Carers are now calling on the government to act quickly to address the financial hardship faced by those who provide essential care for their loved ones.
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