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Arena Magazine 2007 Issue 3 Autumn Arena |
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Don’t leave working carers in limbo
The union wants the Government to scrap the earnings rule for Carer’s Allowance.
The difficulties faced by working carers who miss out on Carer's Allowance was the subject of Usdaw's second Spotlight Day, part of the award winning Supporting Parents and Carers campaign.
Events were held across the UK, including a launch event at the House of Commons, which attracted the support of more than 50 MPs. A limbo dancer was hired to publicise the union's argument that the earnings rule leaves carers in limbo.
"This was part of Usdaw's campaign to change the rules for working carers who, at the moment, do not qualify for Carer's Allowance of £48.65 if they earn more than £87 a week," said general secretary John Hannett. "Our hard-working reps collected thousands of signatures and took the campaign into their stores and communities and helped raise the profile of this very important issue."
Part of the campaigning team, who later went on to meet the then chancellor Gordon Brown, was Tracey Low who told of her struggle to combine working with caring for her autistic daughter. "I earn just over £87 a week so miss out on Carer's Allowance," she said. "I'm struggling to make ends meet. I don't want to give up work because that's important to me but my daughter's disability does mean we incur extra costs on household items, clothing and transport.
"If I was eligible for Carer's Allowance it would give me a welcome financial boost and stop me slipping further into debt. I'm sure I'm not the only person in this difficult position and that's why I think this campaign is so important."
www.usdaw.org.uk/campaigns
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