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1547052

	registered interest
	date	30/11/2022
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Carer's Allowance
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment he has made of the impact of the eligibility rules for Carer's Allowance on the ability of unpaid carers to work more hours and increase their earnings.
	tabling member constituency	Leicester South
	tabling member printed	Jonathan Ashworth
	uin	99858
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/12/2022 answer text <p><strong> </strong></p><p>Many carers who are receiving Carer’s Allowance are also in households receiving Universal Credit, whose structure of tapers and work allowances (where applicable) effectively takes precedence over the earnings rules in Carer’s Allowance for these carers. This helps ensure that, if they wish to work, carers on the lowest incomes are better off doing so. There is, however, no requirement for those caring for 35 hours or more a week to undertake work search whilst receiving Universal Credit. In work or out of work, these carers may also receive the Universal Credit Carer Element, worth around an additional £2,000 a year.</p><p> </p><p>Some carers may not be able to receive Universal Credit, for example due to their levels of household capital or income. These carers may only be receiving Carer’s Allowance. This is not means-tested and not based on National Insurance contributions. It has an earnings limit which permits carers to undertake some part-time work if they are able to do so. This recognises the benefits of staying in touch with the workplace, including greater financial independence and social interaction.</p><p> </p><p>We know that some carers who are above Universal Credit thresholds are keen to maintain contact with the labour market, so we want to encourage carers in this position to combine some paid work with their caring duties wherever possible. That is why we regularly increase the earnings limit when it is warranted and affordable. The Carer’s Allowance earnings limit is currently £132 a week. Subject to parliamentary approval, this will increase to £139 a week from April 2023. This will mean that the earnings limit will have increased by over one third since 2010.</p><p> </p><p>There is no “hours rule” in Carer’s Allowance as far as earnings are concerned.</p> answering member constituency Corby answering member printed Tom Pursglove grouped question UIN 99912 question first answered 05/12/2022 16:11:06 answering member 4369 label Biography information for Tom Pursglove
	tabling member	4244 label Biography information for Jonathan Ashworth

1546931

	registered interest
	date	30/11/2022
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Carer's Allowance
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether he has made an estimate of the cost of raising the earnings threshold for Carer’s Allowance to work for up to 21 hours a week at National Living Wages rates for financial year 2023-24.
	tabling member constituency	Lewisham, Deptford
	tabling member printed	Vicky Foxcroft
	uin	99912
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/12/2022 answer text <p><strong> </strong></p><p>Many carers who are receiving Carer’s Allowance are also in households receiving Universal Credit, whose structure of tapers and work allowances (where applicable) effectively takes precedence over the earnings rules in Carer’s Allowance for these carers. This helps ensure that, if they wish to work, carers on the lowest incomes are better off doing so. There is, however, no requirement for those caring for 35 hours or more a week to undertake work search whilst receiving Universal Credit. In work or out of work, these carers may also receive the Universal Credit Carer Element, worth around an additional £2,000 a year.</p><p> </p><p>Some carers may not be able to receive Universal Credit, for example due to their levels of household capital or income. These carers may only be receiving Carer’s Allowance. This is not means-tested and not based on National Insurance contributions. It has an earnings limit which permits carers to undertake some part-time work if they are able to do so. This recognises the benefits of staying in touch with the workplace, including greater financial independence and social interaction.</p><p> </p><p>We know that some carers who are above Universal Credit thresholds are keen to maintain contact with the labour market, so we want to encourage carers in this position to combine some paid work with their caring duties wherever possible. That is why we regularly increase the earnings limit when it is warranted and affordable. The Carer’s Allowance earnings limit is currently £132 a week. Subject to parliamentary approval, this will increase to £139 a week from April 2023. This will mean that the earnings limit will have increased by over one third since 2010.</p><p> </p><p>There is no “hours rule” in Carer’s Allowance as far as earnings are concerned.</p> answering member constituency Corby answering member printed Tom Pursglove grouped question UIN 99858 question first answered 05/12/2022 16:11:06 answering member 4369 label Biography information for Tom Pursglove
	tabling member	4491 label Biography information for Vicky Foxcroft

1535935

	registered interest
	date	25/10/2022
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Carer's Allowance
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of providing a top-up payment to unpaid carers who are in receipt of Carer's Allowance, reflecting the supplementary and one-off payments received by unpaid carers in Scotland and Wales.
	tabling member constituency	Stockton North
	tabling member printed	Alex Cunningham
	uin	71062
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 01/11/2022 answer text <p>Carer’s Allowance is a devolved benefit under the Scotland Act 2016. The Scottish Government pays a Supplement to all its recipients, regardless of their means.</p><p> </p><p>The payment made by the Welsh Government was part of the discretionary local welfare support offered under the Government of Wales Act 2006. It, similarly, was made regardless of means.</p><p> </p><p>The UK Government takes a different approach and directs more of its financial support across Great Britain towards unpaid carers on the lowest incomes. For example, unpaid carers in receipt of Universal Credit can receive an additional £2,000 a year through the Carer Element, helping ensure this support goes to those most in need. The UK Government has therefore made no assessment relating to a top up payment to all recipients of Carer’s Allowance regardless of their means.</p> answering member constituency Corby answering member printed Tom Pursglove grouped question UIN 71063 question first answered 01/11/2022 15:17:29 answering member 4369 label Biography information for Tom Pursglove
	tabling member	4122 label Biography information for Alex Cunningham

1660869

	registered interest
	date	14/09/2023
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Carer's Allowance
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will make it his policy to provide additional Carer’s Allowance for people caring for more than one person.
	tabling member constituency	South Staffordshire
	tabling member printed	Sir Gavin Williamson
	uin	199589
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/09/2023 answer text <p>This Government recognises and values the vital contribution made by carers in supporting some of the most vulnerable in society, including pensioners and those with disabilities.</p><p>Carer’s Allowance is not means-tested and is not based on National Insurance contributions. Its principal purpose is to provide a measure of financial support and recognition for people who give up the opportunity of full-time work in order to provide regular care for a severely disabled person. The main qualifying condition is that the carer is providing at least 35 hours of care to somebody in receipt of a qualifying disability benefit, and that no-one else is providing such care to that person.</p><p>Carer’s Allowance is therefore not a payment for providing a care service, so only one payment is made even if a carer is caring for more than one severely disabled person.</p><p>In addition to Carer’s Allowance, carers on low incomes can claim income-related benefits, such as Universal Credit and Pension Credit. These benefits can be paid to carers at a higher rate than those without caring responsibilities through the carer element and the additional amount for carers respectively. Currently, the Universal Credit carer element is £185.86 per monthly assessment period. The additional amount for carers in Pension Credit is £42.75 a week.</p><p> </p><p>Around 550,000 (May 2023 data) carer households on Universal Credit can receive around an additional £2,230 a year through the carer element. The Government has chosen to focus extra support on those carers who need it most.</p><p> </p><p>The Government keeps the qualifying conditions for Carer’s Allowance under review, but has no plans to amend them at this time.</p> answering member constituency Corby answering member printed Tom Pursglove grouped question UIN 199587 question first answered 19/09/2023 15:14:09 answering member 4369 label Biography information for Tom Pursglove
	tabling member	4108 label Biography information for Sir Gavin Williamson

1660496

	registered interest
	date	13/09/2023
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Carer's Allowance
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether he plans to (a) review and (b) amend the carer's allowance.
	tabling member constituency	Liverpool, Walton
	tabling member printed	Dan Carden
	uin	199443
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/09/2023 answer text <p>This Government recognises and values the vital contribution made by carers in supporting some of the most vulnerable in society, including pensioners and those with disabilities.</p><p> </p><p>The benefit system supports unpaid carers primarily through Universal Credit, Pension Credit and Carer’s Allowance. The first two are payable to carers on low incomes who are respectively below or above State Pension age. They are means-tested and can be paid at a higher rate than to those without caring responsibilities through the Universal Credit carer element (currently £185.86 per monthly assessment period in addition to the standard allowance) or the additional amount for carers in Pension Credit (currently £42.75 a week in addition to the standard minimum guarantee).</p><p> </p><p>Carer’s Allowance is not means-tested and is not based on National Insurance contributions. Its principal purpose is to provide a measure of financial support and recognition for people who give up the opportunity of full-time work in order to provide regular care for a severely disabled person. The main qualifying condition is that the carer is providing at least 35 hours of care to somebody in receipt of a qualifying disability benefit, and that no-one else is providing such care to that person. This has been the approach of successive governments and reflects wider social policy aims, as well as issues of affordability.</p><p> </p><p>Nearly 60% of carers on low incomes who are of working age and on Carer’s Allowance claim an income-related means-tested benefit. More than 8 million households on means-tested benefits received Cost of Living Payments of up to £650 in 2022, and more than 8 million households will receive up to £900 in Cost of Living Payments in 2023/24. All pensioner households will also receive the £300 Pensioner Cost of Living Payment. Carers who are themselves disabled may also receive the £150 Disability Cost of Living Payment, as will the people for whom they provide care. Overall, the Government is providing total support of over £94bn over 2022-23 and 2023-24 to help households and individuals with the rising cost of bills. For people who require additional support, the Household Support Fund will continue until March 2024. This year-long extension allows local authorities in England to continue to provide discretionary support with the significantly rising cost of living to those most in need. The devolved administrations will receive consequential funding.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>The Government keeps the qualifying conditions for Carer’s Allowance under review, but has no plans to amend them at this time.</p> answering member constituency Corby answering member printed Tom Pursglove grouped question UIN 199444 199463 question first answered 19/09/2023 14:28:58 answering member 4369 label Biography information for Tom Pursglove
	tabling member	4651 label Biography information for Dan Carden

1660538

	registered interest
	date	13/09/2023
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Carer's Allowance
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of changing the eligibility criteria of the carer's allowance to allow carers to claim the allowance for caring for more than one individual.
	tabling member constituency	Liverpool, Walton
	tabling member printed	Dan Carden
	uin	199463
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/09/2023 answer text <p>This Government recognises and values the vital contribution made by carers in supporting some of the most vulnerable in society, including pensioners and those with disabilities.</p><p> </p><p>The benefit system supports unpaid carers primarily through Universal Credit, Pension Credit and Carer’s Allowance. The first two are payable to carers on low incomes who are respectively below or above State Pension age. They are means-tested and can be paid at a higher rate than to those without caring responsibilities through the Universal Credit carer element (currently £185.86 per monthly assessment period in addition to the standard allowance) or the additional amount for carers in Pension Credit (currently £42.75 a week in addition to the standard minimum guarantee).</p><p> </p><p>Carer’s Allowance is not means-tested and is not based on National Insurance contributions. Its principal purpose is to provide a measure of financial support and recognition for people who give up the opportunity of full-time work in order to provide regular care for a severely disabled person. The main qualifying condition is that the carer is providing at least 35 hours of care to somebody in receipt of a qualifying disability benefit, and that no-one else is providing such care to that person. This has been the approach of successive governments and reflects wider social policy aims, as well as issues of affordability.</p><p> </p><p>Nearly 60% of carers on low incomes who are of working age and on Carer’s Allowance claim an income-related means-tested benefit. More than 8 million households on means-tested benefits received Cost of Living Payments of up to £650 in 2022, and more than 8 million households will receive up to £900 in Cost of Living Payments in 2023/24. All pensioner households will also receive the £300 Pensioner Cost of Living Payment. Carers who are themselves disabled may also receive the £150 Disability Cost of Living Payment, as will the people for whom they provide care. Overall, the Government is providing total support of over £94bn over 2022-23 and 2023-24 to help households and individuals with the rising cost of bills. For people who require additional support, the Household Support Fund will continue until March 2024. This year-long extension allows local authorities in England to continue to provide discretionary support with the significantly rising cost of living to those most in need. The devolved administrations will receive consequential funding.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>The Government keeps the qualifying conditions for Carer’s Allowance under review, but has no plans to amend them at this time.</p> answering member constituency Corby answering member printed Tom Pursglove grouped question UIN 199443 199444 question first answered 19/09/2023 14:28:58 answering member 4369 label Biography information for Tom Pursglove
	tabling member	4651 label Biography information for Dan Carden

1563111

	registered interest
	date	19/12/2022
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Carer's Allowance
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will make an estimate of the cost to the public purse of raising the earnings threshold for Carer’s Allowance to work for up to (a) 16 and (b) 21 hours a week at National Living Wages rates for 2023/24.
	tabling member constituency	Lewisham, Deptford
	tabling member printed	Vicky Foxcroft
	uin	113368
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/01/2023 answer text <p>In November 2022, the department committed to increasing the Carer’s Allowance earnings threshold from £132 to £139 net earnings per week from April 2023.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>The department estimates that the additional Carer’s Allowance Annually Managed Expenditure in 2023/24, from linking the weekly earnings limit to 16 hours work at National Living Wage levels and raising it to £167 a week, would be approximately £30 million. The corresponding figure for linking it to 21 hours work and raising it to £219 a week is around £90 million.</p> answering member constituency Corby answering member printed Tom Pursglove grouped question UIN 113369 question first answered 09/01/2023 14:53:24 answering member 4369 label Biography information for Tom Pursglove
	tabling member	4491 label Biography information for Vicky Foxcroft

1563112

	registered interest
	date	19/12/2022
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Carer's Allowance
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will make an estimate of the cost to the public purse of raising the earnings threshold for Carer’s Allowance to (1) £167 and (2) £219 per week in 2023-24.
	tabling member constituency	Lewisham, Deptford
	tabling member printed	Vicky Foxcroft
	uin	113369
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/01/2023 answer text <p>In November 2022, the department committed to increasing the Carer’s Allowance earnings threshold from £132 to £139 net earnings per week from April 2023.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>The department estimates that the additional Carer’s Allowance Annually Managed Expenditure in 2023/24, from linking the weekly earnings limit to 16 hours work at National Living Wage levels and raising it to £167 a week, would be approximately £30 million. The corresponding figure for linking it to 21 hours work and raising it to £219 a week is around £90 million.</p> answering member constituency Corby answering member printed Tom Pursglove grouped question UIN 113368 question first answered 09/01/2023 14:53:24 answering member 4369 label Biography information for Tom Pursglove
	tabling member	4491 label Biography information for Vicky Foxcroft

1563108

	registered interest
	date	19/12/2022
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Carer's Allowance
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many carers in receipt of Carer’s Allowance also have earnings from paid employment.
	tabling member constituency	Lewisham, Deptford
	tabling member printed	Vicky Foxcroft
	uin	113365
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/01/2023 answer text <p>The latest data available on how many unpaid carers are in receipt of Carer’s Allowance and have earnings from paid employment comes from the Family Resources Survey 2020/21 linked with DWP admin data.</p><p> </p><p>The department estimates that around 175,000 (less than one in five) Carer’s Allowance recipients were declaring earnings to the department at the time they responded to the survey.</p> answering member constituency Corby answering member printed Tom Pursglove grouped question UIN 113367 question first answered 09/01/2023 14:47:17 answering member 4369 label Biography information for Tom Pursglove
	tabling member	4491 label Biography information for Vicky Foxcroft

1563110

	registered interest
	date	19/12/2022
	answering body	Department for Work and Pensions
	answering dept id	29
	answering dept short name	Work and Pensions
	answering dept sort name	Work and Pensions
	hansard heading	Carer's Allowance
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many and what proportion of carers in receipt of Carer’s Allowance also had earnings from paid employment in the latest period for which data is available.
	tabling member constituency	Lewisham, Deptford
	tabling member printed	Vicky Foxcroft
	uin	113367
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 09/01/2023 answer text <p>The latest data available on how many unpaid carers are in receipt of Carer’s Allowance and have earnings from paid employment comes from the Family Resources Survey 2020/21 linked with DWP admin data.</p><p> </p><p>The department estimates that around 175,000 (less than one in five) Carer’s Allowance recipients were declaring earnings to the department at the time they responded to the survey.</p> answering member constituency Corby answering member printed Tom Pursglove grouped question UIN 113365 question first answered 09/01/2023 14:47:17 answering member 4369 label Biography information for Tom Pursglove
	tabling member	4491 label Biography information for Vicky Foxcroft