Under successive Governments, the primary purpose of Carer's Allowance has been to provide a measure of financial support for people who give up the opportunity of full-time employment in order to care for a severely disabled person. It must be stressed that it is not a carer’s wage or payment for the services of caring, nor is it intended to replace lost or forgone earnings in their entirety.
The Carer's Allowance earnings limit is not linked to the number of hours worked. Instead, it is set at a level that aims to encourage people to maintain a link with the labour market through part-time work. The earnings limit for Carer's Allowance is a net figure, meaning it takes into account Income Tax, National Insurance contributions, and half of any contributions to an occupational or personal pension, and other deductions which can be made. That means that people can earn significantly more than £151 per week gross and still be eligible for Carer's Allowance.
I welcomed that, under the last Government, on 6 April 2024, Carer's Allowance was increased by 6.7 per cent from £76.75 to £81.90 per week.
I would encourage carers to check their eligibility for additional support, such as Universal Credit (UC). UC can include an additional amount for carers who provide care of 35 hours or more each week for a severely disabled person. For carers who satisfy the qualifying criteria, an additional amount of £198.31 per month is included in their UC entitlement. For those receiving UC, the 55 per cent taper rate and any applicable work allowance will help to ensure that people are better off in work.