I Can Do That column: ‘Inflation increases to Carers Allowance and Universal Credit are yet another blow for hard pressed carers’ – In Your Area

By Tom Dowling

State benefits rose this week but with spiralling living costs and inflation reaching 7% many disabled people and carers are going to be much worse off.

Almost 1 million carers receiving the main carers benefit, Carers Allowance, will get an increase of just 2.10 a week, which is based on inflation rates of only 3.1% set last year.

The allowance rises from 67.60 a week to 69.70, while the earnings limit for those claiming the benefit will rise from 128 to 132 a week.

As the National Living Wage (NLW) has also increased, it means that anyone employed on the NLW will see a real terms cut in the number of hours they are able to work and still keep their Carers Allowance.

This will fall from a maximum 14.36 hours of work a week to only 13.89 hours a week to stay within the limit. If a carer goes over the earnings limit, they lose all of their Carers Allowance. For people caring for a severely disabled person for more than 35 hours a week, the carer element of Universal Credit rises to 168.81 a month.

Helen Walker, head of national charity Carers UK, said: As the cost of living crisis piles on the stress and pressure to household finances across the UK, the below inflation increases to Carers Allowance and Universal Credit are yet another blow for hard pressed carers.

Many carers have a reduced capacity to work because of their caring responsibilities or have had to give up work altogether. Despite the majority of carers having taken on more care during the pandemic, which has protected our health and care systems, they face a real terms cut in the level of financial support they receive. Carers do not deserve more hardship when they have done so much.

Caring for someone can mean extra costs like having to use more electricity for special equipment, more heating to keep someone frail or unwell warm, and needing to spend more on special food. Once again the UK Government has failed to increase the Earnings Limit for Carers Allowance in line with rises in the National Living Wage meaning carers can now work just 13 hours a week and retain their entitlement to Carers Allowance.

What we need urgently is a system that legislates for a year-on-year rise, in line with at least 16 times the National Living Wage along with significant increases to carers benefits.

Children of all abilities and their families can now sail across the world without stepping outside their homes, thanks to a new and exciting online project.

Sea Girl is an interactive, choose your own adventure experience that takes the whole family across the high seas.

Children are encouraged to help Ellen, Naomi and the cat Tarzoon, decide whether to meet turtles, explore the Caribbean or follow dolphins. The show is fully captioned.

The project was inspired by the extraordinary achievements of Laura Dekker, the youngest person to have solo travelled across the world in a sailing boat.

New Zealand-born Laura was just 14 when she set off and 16 when she completed her trip.

For more information about All Together NOW! visit the website.

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I Can Do That column: 'Inflation increases to Carers Allowance and Universal Credit are yet another blow for hard pressed carers' - In Your Area