Carers demand an end to poverty pay

Call to raise earnings cap on vital allowance

-  KATE SKELTON

UNPAID carers are calling for an increase in their allowance to raise their income out of "poverty" levels.

They are urging the Government to raise the pay cap to qualify for Carer's Allowance from £139 to £218.92 a week.

This would enable claimants to work for 21 hours in their main jobs on the National Living Wage and still receive the benefit for caring for loved ones.

MPs back carers' demands for the earnings cap, which rose by 5.5% in April, to be increased at the same rate as the NLW, which went up by 9.7%.

Carer's Allowance increased by 10.1% in April, to £76.25, in line with inflation - but carers and politicians want a fullscale review.

Under current rules, if a carer's earnings exceed the threshold by even 1p, they lose the allowance and may have to repay it if they continue to claim.