Carers to earn more without losing out.
2nd October 2007
As of this week, the maximum amount of money that carers in Great Britain will be allowed to earn without losing their entitlement to Carer's Allowance (CA) will rise from £87 to £95 a week, after expenses such as income tax and national insurance contributions have been taken into account.
Kilmarnock and Loudoun Labour MP, Des Browne has welcomed the increase.
Des said:
“There is no doubting the crucial role played by carers in our society and it is only right that where we can offer further support we do so. This increase means that more carers will now be able to receive Carer's Allowance for the first time.”
Des Browne points out that the increase in the earnings limit is an interim measure ahead of the government's forthcoming review of the National Carers Strategy. The strategy will look at how CA could be reformed to meet today's needs more effectively.
Carers who employ someone to look after a disabled person or a child aged under 16 while they are at work will continue to be entitled to the allowance while earning significantly more than the normal limit.
Des added:
“Combined with next April's normal increase in Carer's Allowance, carers should be able to receive more than £7,500 a year.”
