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Usdaw urges MPs to scrap outdated earning limit for carers19 June 2007Retail union Usdaw has lobbied MPs to scrap an outdated benefits rule for Britain's working carers which means they lose a vital benefit if they earn more than £87 a week. Carers from the union told MPs the existing rule means that retail staff who care for severely disabled adults and children who earn more than £87 lose their Carers Allowance of £48.65 a week which means thousands of Usdaw members who want to work more hours have to keep their hours deliberately low or risk losing their allowance. "Retail offers incredible flexibility for carers who offer care day in and day out but still want the dignity and financial independence that work brings but this outdated limit simply doesn't reflect the modern workplace," says Usdaw General Secretary John Hannett. "Usdaw is urging MPs to scrap the earnings limit as our members are telling us that going to work is a necessity not an option if they want to avoid falling further into debt and retailers say it is bad for business as they want to offer more hours to carers. "Scrapping the limit will allow thousands of Usdaw members to get away from the awful day-to-day reality of struggling to make ends meet because their ability to boost their income is limited by an outdated rule that doesn't reflect their needs or the needs of business. "The very least our members want is for the limit to be raised so they can work longer if they choose to. Usdaw knows MPs are sympathetic to changing the rule so their constituents who are carers can play a real role in driving Britain's booming retail sector forward and continue to save the state billions in care costs." Tesco General Assistant Tracey Low told MPs about her daily struggle to balance work and caring for her autistic daughter Kathryn. Tracey earns just over £87 a week and she is disqualified from getting Carers Allowance which leaves her desperately struggling to make ends meet without that extra benefit. "I wanted to give thousands of Usdaw carers a voice and remind MPs that paid work is important to us because it gives the financial independence we need so much," Tracy said. "I told MPs that not being able to get Carers Allowance has plunged my family into debt because caring for others has hidden costs for families. My daughter's disability means she tends to break things round the house, wears out clothing more quickly than other children without her disability and we have extra laundry and transport costs too. "My situation as a carer is far from unique as being entitled to the £48.65 carers allowance would make an enormous difference to me and my family. But I'm not prepared to give up work to get it because I want to be part of society and the workforce and my kids need to see me going to work every day so they can understand the importance of being independent. "I told MPs that scrapping the limit will allow me to make my own decisions about how to combine work and care and stop me slipping further into debt. If I was able to claim Carers Allowance it would give me the recognition I think I deserve as well as much needed extra income." More information: www.usdaw.org.uk/campaigns/supportingparentsandcarers/ Notes to Editors:
Contact Details Media and Communications Department Ph: 0161 224 2804 Fax: 0161 249 2490 Email: communications@usdaw.org.uk Web: http://www.usdaw.org.uk/news/  Printer Friendly Page  Email to a Friend
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