Carer's Allowance overpayment debt rocketing to £250m shows urgent need for overhaul

The National Audit Office has released a report showing debt from Carer's Allowance overpayments has rocketed to £250m. 

Responding, Carers Trust’s Director of Policy and Public Affairs, Dominic Carter, said:

“This vital report makes clear that far too many people are being allowed to rack up ruinous debts because of the broken Carer’s Allowance system."

"Around 135,000 people owe more than £250m in total – a figure that has rocketed under the Department for Work and Pensions’ watch by a staggering £100m in just a few years."

“While we’re pleased to see overpayments being identified more quickly, the average £988 overpayment demand is still a huge amount for carers, many of whom are already living in poverty."

"While the independent review of overpayments is ongoing, these repayment demands must be stopped to prevent tens of thousands more carers falling foul of an evidently flawed system."

“At the heart of this is an overly complicated, outdated Carer’s Allowance system. The Government’s announcement of an independent review of overpayments, alongside its increase to the earnings limit, is welcome."

"But what Carer’s Allowance really requires is a complete overhaul. Without it, carers will continue to be denied the support they so desperately need.”