Carers 'must be paid more'

29/08/2008

Britain's six million carers must have more financial assistance from the government, an influential MPs' committee has said.

According to the group, the current Carer's Allowance of £50.55 per week is not enough to make up the costs of the voluntary work - and needs to be boosted.

In total, the Commons work and pensions committee claims, the general public is saved £87 billion a year by this unpaid work.

Terry Rooney MP, the committee's chairman, commented: "Caring matters deeply to individuals, families and society in general. Sustaining the ability of carers to provide the care and support they give to others is of critical importance."

Speaking to the BBC, Vicky Pearlman at charity Citizens Advice added: "The current system is enormously complicated, and even Department for Work and Pensions staff struggle to correctly identify, and clearly explain, the benefits that carers and their families are entitled to. It is crucial that the government takes action to boost carers' incomes as a matter of urgency."

Tags; Income Worries and Debt, Retirement Money Problems,

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