Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what estimate he has made of the proportion of carers living in poverty compared to the rest of the population; and what steps he will take to tackle poverty amongst that cohort.

No assessment has been made. The department publishes poverty statistics in the Households Below Average Income publication, but this does not include analysis of the proportion of carers in poverty.

The Government is committed to supporting unpaid carers to balance their caring alongside work, and to do so in a way that supports their own health, wellbeing and finances. This is the best way to tackle poverty amongst unpaid carers.

This starts with employers embracing HR policies that support unpaid carers to enable them to continue working when they become carers. As an example, the Government is supporting a Private Members’ Bill which will introduce a new entitlement to one week of Carer’s Leave as a day one right.

The benefit system can also provide additional income for unpaid carers who meet the relevant qualifying conditions. For example, unpaid carers receiving Universal Credit can also receive additional amounts (the carer element) worth around £2,000 a year. The 55% taper rate in Universal Credit and any applicable work allowance will also help to ensure that people are better off in work and able to increase their incomes.

We would encourage any carer in financial need to check whether they have applied for all the benefits they are entitled to, including means-tested support. This can provide additional weekly income and access to extra cost of living support. Full details of all of the DWP benefits are available on GOV.UK. Help and advice can also be sought from bodies such as Carers UK, Carers Trust, and Citizens Advice through their Help to Claim support.

The Care Act 2014 requires local authorities to deliver a wide range of sustainable high-quality care and support services, including support for unpaid carers. Local authorities are required to undertake a Carer’s Assessment for any unpaid carer who appears to have a need for support and to meet their eligible needs on request from the carer.