Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether her Department has considered making a carers allowance supplement payment available to carers in England.

The Scottish Government uses its powers under devolution to pay some unpaid carers who live in Scotland, regardless of their means, an extra amount through the twice-yearly payments of a Carer’s Allowance Supplement.

This Government is continuing with a different approach which focuses on extra support given to carers on the lowest incomes. Carers across the UK who are on Universal Credit can therefore receive around an additional £2,400 a year through the Carer Element compared to those without caring responsibilities.