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<p>This Government recognises and appreciates the valuable support that carers provide
to those with care needs.</p><p> </p><p>Since 2010 the rate of Carer’s Allowance has
increased from £53.90 to £62.70 a week, meaning an additional £450 a year for carers.
Carer’s Allowance is excluded from the benefit freeze and is uprated annually in line
with the Consumer Prices Index.</p><p> </p><p>Carers on low incomes can access other
financial support through income-related benefits. Income Support, Housing Benefit
and Pension Credit include an additional carer’s premium of £34.95 a week. Universal
Credit includes a carer’s element of £151.89 per monthly assessment period. People
entitled to Carer’s Allowance or the carer’s element in Universal Credit are not subject
to the benefit cap.</p><p> </p><p>As society ages and care needs increase, it is important
that carers are able to combine caring with paid employment, or return to paid work
when their caring duties allow. The Government’s Fuller Working Lives Strategy, published
in February 2017, sets out proposals to help carers combine work and care or prepare
for returning to the labour market. In addition, earned income up to £116 net a week
is ignored for the purposes of Carer’s Allowance. Means-tested benefits and Universal
Credit also provide for care to be combined with earnings.</p>
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