We Care, We Count

The Work and Pensions Parliamentary Committee has representatives from all major political parties and makes recommendations to the Government.

This summer, they reviewed carers' income and access to information. Rethink provided a written submission and also met with committee members.

Their recommendations to the Government's Department of Work & Pensions, made in August 08, include:

• Benefits claim process to identify when appointeeship (when a carer manages the benefit claim for someone they care for) might be appropriate and provide information. This recommendation came directly from Rethink's submission.
• A radical overhaul of carers benefits to include an income replacement benefit (at same rate as Job Seeker Plus but without condition to find work) and a payment to cover costs of caring, which would also be available to carers of pension age. The Government should also invest in a large scale awareness campaign on carers' benefits.
• That the Department of Work and Pensions should simplify application processes for carers' entitlements.
• Pilots should be carried out to explore how health services and local authorities can work together to provide benefits advice in healthcare settings.
• Various changes to make work and training more accessible to carers.

Read Rethink's submission to the Inquiry: Work and Pensions Committee Inquiry submission April 2008 (86 kb)

The Prime Minister's Carers' Strategy was launched on 10th June 2008. The strategy sets out commitments about support and services for carers over the next 10 years.

The key commitments include extra funding for respite to be spent locally, a carer training programme (Confidence to Care), a national information helpline and information, and training for professionals to better understand carers' issues.

• Read a quick overview of commitments made in the strategy: Carers’ Strategy Quick Overview (June 08) r the next 10 years.

We still need to make sure that issues specific to mental health carers are addressed in pilots, professional training and service provision.

• Read the full strategy: Prime Minister's Carers' Strategy June 2008
• Read Rethink's submission to the Carers' Strategy Health & Social Care Task Force: Carers Strategy 2007 (Dept. of Health) Submission to Health & Social Care task force