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Rennie takes Carers' Allowance fight to Westminster
June 22, 2006 1:26 PM
Local MP, Willie Rennie, has tabled a special Parliamentary Motion defending Carers' Allowance. Current Government rules end Carers' Allowance for those in receipt of Bereavement Allowance, even when carers' commitments have not changed.
Mr Rennie has been dealing with this issue for some time, after it was brought to his attention by a constituent. He has written to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, John Hutton, and tabled written parliamentary questions calling on the Government to change the rules. However, the Government has refused to change its position.
The local MP said:
"This is a basic issue of fairness and compassion. Carers' Allowance and Bereavement Allowance are very different benefits and it is unacceptable for this Government to suggest otherwise. Now I am calling on the Government to demonstrate its commitment to Britain's 6 million unpaid carers by changing the rules on Carers' Allowance.
"I have argued with the Government Minister that Carers' Allowance is intended to replace the lost income of a carer who cannot work full-time because of their caring commitments. Bereavement Allowance, on the other hand, helps to support widows and widowers by replacing the lost income from their deceased spouse for one year. As they are intended to replace different incomes, they should not be subject to the Government's rules on overlapping benefits.
"This issue was brought to my attention by a constituent, whose husband had recently died. Before his death, the couple had looked after their disabled son using a mixture of the father's income and Carers' Allowance which was paid directly to the mother.
"On the tragic death of her husband, she became entitled to Bereavement Allowance to help compensate her for the loss of his income. She was surprised to find that this meant that she was no longer entitled to Carers' Allowance. As such, she had to deal not only with the death of her husband and the continuing needs of her disabled son, but also with an overall loss of income and the stress of dealing with a system which makes very little sense."
Mr Rennie tabled Early Day Motion 2342, "Carers' Allowance" and it has already attracted cross-party support. He is now seeking a meeting with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, John Hutton.
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