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The Government is developing
a new National Carers Strategy
– get involved and tell them
what they need to do to
improve support for carers.
Image: Chris Steele-Perkins
How can Government
improve support
for carers?
The call for evidence was launched by the
Minister for Social Care and Community,
Alistair Burt MP, who wants to hear from
carers, along with professionals who
support carers.
We will be providing a detailed response
to the strategy, including evidence based
on the views and experiences we received
as part of our State of Caring Survey 2016.
Thank you to everyone who completed the
survey, helping us show what life is like for
carers, and what needs to change.
The call for evidence includes questions
about identifying carers, information and
advice and the types of services or formal
support would be helpful.
Carers and professionals have until 30 June
2016 to give their views on the Strategy.
To share your views visit
carersuk.org/carersstrategy.
‘Bedroom tax’ – a big step
forward, but we’re not there yet
Carers UK members Paul and Susan Rutherford have won
their legal challenge against the Government’s ‘bedroom tax’.
The Rutherfords care for
their profoundly disabled
14-year-old grandson. They
live in a specially adapted
home with a room for a
professional care worker
to stay when providing
overnight care. This
room was deemed spare,
meaning the Rutherfords
were hit by the ‘bedroom
tax’ and their housing
benefit was reduced.
The judges accepted that
14
the bedroom tax unlawfully
discriminates against
disabled children requiring
overnight care, as it does
not allow for an additional
bedroom for their overnight
carer or care worker.
While this was a significant
step forward, the
Government did decide to
appeal the decision in the
Supreme Court.
Heléna Herklots, Chief
Executive of Carers UK, said:
“We urge the Government
to amend the regulations
to protect carers and their
families. The policy is clearly
having a devastating impact
on vulnerable families and
the Government cannot
allow this to continue.”
We expect to hear the
outcome of the Government
appeal in the next month
To find out the latest news
visit carersuk.org/
bedroomtax.
carersuk.org