Stop Carer Poverty - Burstow

4.31.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 22nd Apr 2009

Local carers and the borough's MPs, Paul Burstow and Tom Brake, are calling for a fair deal for carers

Paul Burstow, MP for Sutton and Cheam, yesterday met with local carers who had come to Parliament to demand a fairer settlement for over one million people in the UK who look after their relatives or friends and are given a mere £53 a week by the Government to live on.

A group called 'Carers Poverty Protest' held a rally in Trafalgar Square and then delivered a petition to Downing Street. They called on the Chancellor to reform the benefits paid to carers, the Carer's Allowance, which is the lowest benefit of its kind and which many full time carers struggle to live on.

Carers, who often give up jobs to fulfil caring responsibilities, save the state an estimated £87bn a year often at the cost of their own health. Although the Government have acknowledged that the Allowance is inadequate and the Work and Pensions Select Committee has supported an increase in the allowance, Ministers have remained non-committal.

Commenting, Paul Burstow MP said:

'Currently over 19,000 people in the borough of Sutton care for their relatives or friends are living under the ever present threat of falling into poverty because of this measly allowance.

'Carers are dedicated individuals who deserve recognition for the unsung commitment they are making every day. No carer is doing this 'job' for the money but to be giving them a pittance insults them and the incredible role they play.'