Welfare Reform survey for carers now online
Action for M.E. has developed a questionnaire for carers about the recent Welfare Reform Green Paper, 'No one written off: reforming welfare to reward responsibility'. The online questionnaire was developed in association with The Princess Royal Trust for Carers and in consultation with people with M.E.
The purpose of the survey is to gather factual evidence and views from carers of people with M.E., to better inform the Government about the realities of caring for someone with M.E. and about the potential implications of the reforms on carers.
The survey is open to anyone in the UK who cares for someone who has M.E., and can be completed online until 29 September 2008.
A separate survey for people with M.E., which was launched earlier, will be open until 22 September.
The results will be analysed and compiled into a report which will be submitted to the Department for Work and Pensions before the consultation closes on 22 October. Parliamentary lobbying will then commence in earnest.
Carole Cochrane, Acting Chief Executive of The Princess Royal Trust for Carers, says:
"It is important that carers have the chance to tell the Government what it means to care for a person who has M.E. Carers who are family members, friends or neighbours step in when another person is in need and provide them with essential support.
"Just because they are not paid a wage does not mean that they are not working. In many cases, they are often working harder and longer than people who do not take on a caring role.
"We need to make sure that the Government thinks through its idea of simplifying the benefits system by scrapping Income Support. Whatever the safeguards, if carers who receive Income Support are transferred to some form of Job Seekers Allowance, the expectation will be raised that they should be seeking paid employment, full-time carer or not."
Sir Peter Spencer, Chief Executive, Action for M.E. said:
"We are delighted to be working with the Princess Royal Trust for Carers on this consultation. Through our earlier survey, completed by 2763 people with M.E., we know that 1673 relied on a carer who was a family member. A further 214 received care from a friend. Only 115 received care from social services and 170 paid for private care.
"Carers are hugely important to people with M.E. and it is essential that their voices are heard in the consultation on Welfare Reform."
In its initial response to the Green Paper on Welfare Reform, presented in the House of Commons on 21 July, Action for M.E. gave a guarded welcome to the Government's proposals to help people to remain in work, to simplify the benefits system and to increase the higher minimum income guarantee from £86.35 to £102.10 for those with the greatest need.
However, the charity had a number of concerns about the Paper, which will be explored further through both the questionnaires and through focus groups.