Government must go further with review of Carer's Allowance overpayments and overhaul the whole archaic system
Responding to Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Liz Kendall’s announcement of a review of Carer’s Allowance overpayments, Carers Trust’s CEO, Kirsty McHugh, said:
“A review of Carer’s Allowance overpayments is hugely welcome. Too many people have had their lives ruined by being pursued for huge sums of money simply because they made an honest mistake."
"These fines need to be written off and the systems allowing them to build-up must be overhauled."
“The Government should also take this opportunity to review and reform the archaic and unfair Carer’s Allowance system as a whole. Created in the 1970s, it’s just not fit for purpose today."
"It is the lowest benefit of its kind at an insultingly low £81.90 a week, its strict eligibility criteria prevent people balancing caring with work, and it locks young adult carers in full-time education out of support."
"It urgently needs to be updated to reflect the needs of carers today.”