Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will make it his policy for carers who are in full-time education to receive carer's allowance.

The Government recognises and appreciates the vital contribution made by carers in supporting the most vulnerable in society including the elderly and those with disabilities.

The Government thinks it is right that people in full-time education should be supported by the educational maintenance system, via its range of loans and grants, and not the social security system. That is why, as a general principle, full-time students are usually precluded from entitlement to income-related and income-maintenance benefits.

However, the Government thinks it is important that carers maintain links with the education system and therefore carers are able to undertake part-time education and still receive Carer’s Allowance.