Carers Trust’s CEO, Kirsty McHugh, responds to the Chancellor’s Spring Statement

“We are hugely disappointed the Chancellor has confirmed the benefits cuts announced last week.

"These cuts are likely to have a devastating impact on carers. The Government itself is admitting that carers will lose over £1 billion in benefits over the course of this Parliament.

"Around 150,000 carers will lose their Carer’s Allowance or the Carers Element of Universal Credit as a result of the changes to the Personal Independence Payment.

"In addition, the Government is failing to recognise that carers themselves are often disabled or living with long term health conditions.

"There is a real risk that carers might lose an additional £300 million per year as the system finds them ineligible for disability payments on the grounds that they are ‘well enough to care’.

"Taken altogether, these reforms risk being devastating for many carers. It is absolutely essential that mitigations are put in place to protect all those providing care to loved ones.”