A local carer’s charity has welcomed the government’s announcement to raise the earnings limit for Carer’s Allowance but said more needs to be done to tackle the growing issue of social care.
The new proposals, set out by the Chancellor in the recent budget, will enable carers to earn up to £196 a week whilst remaining eligible to claim carer’s benefits, a rise of £45.
The increase represents the largest rise in the earnings limit since it was introduced in 1976.
Rachael Stokes, CEO of Kingston Carers’ Network, said: “We welcome the rise in the Carer’s Allowance earnings limit as it is a positive step to helping unpaid carers in Kingston balance work and caring.”
The charity provides a voice and support for carers of all ages across the Kingston borough.
Kingston and Surbiton MP Sir Ed Davey, a longtime advocate for carer’s rights, was similarly supportive of the proposals.
However, he suggested that more extensive measures would be necessary to fully support carers, including the introduction of a special higher minimum wage.
“I strongly welcome the Chancellor’s decision to raise the earnings limit for Carer’s Allowance,” he said.
“It is a good first step, but as she accepted in her speech, on its own it will not end the repayments scandal or fix the system…I hope she and her colleagues will consider a broader review to give family carers the support they deserve.”
The government had previously pledged to look into the issue of overpayments, after thousands of carers were forced to pay back their entire allowance for marginally exceeding the earnings limit.
An independent review was announced after Davey recently tabled a parliamentary motion to address those who had been unfairly punished.
Stokes also praised this move, but likewise suggested that the government had more to do on the wider issue of social care.
She said: “We look forward to the outcomes of the government’s review of Carer’s Allowance overpayments, which we know have unjustly impacted carers in the borough.
“However, we still await details of what actions the government is going to take on social care. We hope that plans for reform recognise the value of unpaid carers and their contribution to the health and care system.”
Kingston Council is already struggling to keep up with an increasing demand for social care in the borough.
At the most recent Corporate and Resources Committee meeting, the council forecast an overspend of more than £2 million on adult social care and health for the 2024/25 financial year.
An ageing population is expected to increase these challenges, with a 19% increase in Kingston’s older people population predicted within the next five years.
The government has pledged £600 million in grants to local authorities to help grow council budgets by an estimated 3.2% next year, in an attempt to tackle the spiralling cost of social care.
However, it is not yet clear where the money will be spent to most effectively alleviate the crisis.
If you think you or someone you know could be eligible for carer’s support in Kingston, an online referral form is available on the Kingston Carers’ Network website.
Politics Editor of the Kingston Courier. Please get in touch if you have any local stories or political issues you wish to share that might be of interest!
