Working and Caring
 

15% of the working population is "now working and caring".

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-47116657

I was lucky in some sense when I was made redundant (by NTL just before it became Virgin) just as our twins started to need a heck of a lot more care.

But £64.60 (taxable) for a MINIMUM 35 hour week as a Carer is a slap in the face.

Re: Working and Caring
 

I agree..I really hate this government.

Re: Working and Caring
 

Not surprised at the main statistic you have posted Taf as we have a ageing population as to me one of the things that needs to happen in the future we need far more more flexibility in the workplace for carers.

---------- Post added at 10:49 ---------- Previous post was at 10:46 ----------

Not a lot when if the state had to pay for it it would cost far far more.

Re: Working and Caring
 

Exactly, it's even less than Jobseekers Allowance!

Re: Working and Caring
 

I am friends with 2 Carers who look after their disabled adult offspring as my wife and I do.

At State Pension age both lost their Carers Allowance (as is the law as it stands) so threw up their arms and demanded the State look after the disabled "kids".

Not a chance.

"No budget", "budget cuts", "no provision whatsoever", "contact charities", "use your savings".....

Re: Working and Caring
 

The Blair Government scrapped the policy where pensioners had to claim the State Retirement Pension instead of Carers Allowance upon reaching retirement age and introduced a 'Carers Premium' within means tested benefits eg Pension Credit, Housing Benefit etc.

However, they cannot get both- they will only get the one which pays the most. Even if carers can only get the state pension because it's the higher of the two, they still have an 'underlying entitlement' to Carers Allowance, so should still receive the carers premium with any means tested benefits.

Re: Working and Caring
 

No Means Tested Benefits here, neither for my friends. :(