Dr Brian Iddon MP backs working carers in Bolton South East

13th June 2007

Dr Brian Iddon MP joined John Hannett, General Secretary of the retail union Usdaw at Westminster today to back their campaign to persuade the Government to allow more workers who care for several disabled adults and children to work longer hours but still claim carers’ allowance.

Dr Iddon said,

“I know that Britain’s army of carers provide a valuable service to loved ones and save the taxpayer billions on services that would otherwise have to be provided by the state.”

I am delighted that the Government has extended the right to request flexible working to carers of adults in April as there is no doubt this will help to make it easier for carers to properly balance their working life with their caring commitments.

But the present rules on access to Carers Allowance mean that anyone earning more than £87 per week cannot qualify for the payment of £48.65 per week. This doesn’t reflect either the reality of carers’ lives today or the modern flexible retail environment which gives carers opportunities to combine paid work with care.

The existing rules make it harder for working carers to earn extra money while caring for others and can make it less attractive for some employers to give jobs to carers. That is why I am supporting the campaign.”

Usdaw General Secretary John Hannett said,

“We are delighted to have the support of Dr Iddon for our campaign which seeks to allow carers the time to care but also allows them the dignity of earning a decent living.

We want the Government to look again at this rule and recognise that there are people out there who do provide 35 hour care and also go out to work. The best way we can thank carers during national carers week is to recognise the enormously important job they do providing care day in day out and relax the gainfully employed rule that doesn’t reflect the reality of their lives or the needs of a modern day retail sector. “

2. Carers Allowance (£48.65 per week) is paid to people with caring responsibilities of over 35 hours per week, who earn less than £87 per week and are caring for a person who qualifies for the higher rate of DLA.

3. Paying Carers Allowance is less expensive for Government than providing a place in a home at more than £400 per week or a hospital bed at over £1,000 per week.