Campaign with us: carersuk.org/wecare
Benefit cap victory for carers
The Government has announced it will
change the law to exempt all carers entitled
to Carer’s Allowance from the benefit cap.
The announcement came in response
to an amendment tabled by Carers UK
Vice President Baroness Pitkeathley and
followed a landmark ruling from the High
Court in Nov ember 2015 on carers affected
by the benefit cap.
The judgment cited Carers UK evidence
extensively and ruled that the Government
was unlawfully discriminating against
disabled people, and so their carers as well.
Since the benefit cap was first announced
in 2010 we have campaigned for changes
to the rule so it does not unfairly penalise
carers. Heléna Herklots, Chief Executive of
Carers UK, said:
“This is a significant victory for carers
and carers’ rights. The Government has
“This is a significant victory
for carers and carers’ rights.”
shown that it recognises both the valuable
contribution that carers make to society
and that the benefit cap unfairly penalises
carers – many of whom are already facing
significant financial hardship as a result of
their caring role.”
By exempting all carers entitled to Carer’s
Allowance, the Government’s response
went further than simply complying with
the High Court judgment.
To find out more about what this means for
carers read our benefit cap Q&A at
carersuk.org/benefitcap.
New rights for carers Carers Scotland
in Wales and Scotland videos
On 6 April the Social Services and Wellbeing (Wales) Act came into force in Wales,
giving carers equivalent rights to the
people they care for.
The Act gives carers a clear right to an
assessment and the right to receive
services where the national eligibility
criteria are met.
Carers Scotland has
launched a range
of simple videos
about the practical
and online support
available to help you
care and look after
your own needs.
Over in Scotland, the Carers Bill has been
passed and will be implemented in 2017.
This will introduce new rights for carers in
Scotland, including new assessments and
new duties for local councils and the NHS.
Each video features a carer talking about
their own experiences, and the series
covers topics including respite, online
communities, getting started online and
technology for health and care.
To find out more visit carerswales.org and
carerscotland.org for the latest news.
To watch the videos visit
youtube.com/carersuk.
@carersuk
/carersuk
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