Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will increase the carer's allowance so that it is equal to the national minimum wage.

The primary purpose of Carer’s Allowance is to provide a measure of financial support for people who give up the opportunity of full-time employment. It was never intended to be a carer's wage nor a payment for the services of caring, and is therefore not comparable with the National Minimum Wage.

The Government recognises that carers play an indispensable role in looking after friends or family members who need support. That is why we have continued to uprate the level of Carer’s Allowance by the Consumer Price Index (CPI).