Carer calls on Government for better support

Working carers will be meeting MPs in the House of Commons on Carers’ Day, 9 June. The meeting has been arranged by Usdaw in order to demonstrate to the Government the need for better support for carers.

The Union has organised an Early Day Motion (EDM), to be tabled by Michael Foster, Labour MP for Hastings and Rye, thanking carers for their invaluable contribution to society and calling on the Government to provide them with more financial help.

Poonit Depala is one of the carers meeting MPs on Tuesday. He is an Usdaw member who works 32.5 hours a week for a supermarket. Poonit’s mum was diagnosed with breast cancer two years ago, and is currently recovering from her second operation. His dad is also medically retired, so Poonit takes main responsibility for the care of his parents. However, he can’t access Carers’ Allowance because of his earnings.

Poonit Depala said:

“It is emotionally and physically draining having to work whilst looking after two ill parents. Working all week and then caring all weekend leaves me no time to myself. But I need to work to have enough money to live. If the limit on earnings was increased for the Carers’ Allowance, the extra money would make a real difference to my finances.”

John Hannett, Usdaw General Secretary, added:

“The Government has done much to help carers like Poonit who have to or choose to work. However, in the EDM we are calling for the extension of Carers’ Allowance to low-paid working carers earning more than the current threshold of £95 per week.

“Currently Carers’ Allowance only pays £53.10 a week for a minimum of 35 hours caring, equivalent to just £1.52 per hour. Many Usdaw members combine their caring responsibilities with work, which can be physically exhausting as well as limiting how much they can earn.

“We also urge the Government to bring forward the pledge in the National Strategy for Carers that, by 2018, ‘carers will be supported so that they are not forced into financial hardship by their caring role’. A lot has been done but there is much still to do.”

Notes to Editors:

• Contacts for newsdesks: Usdaw’s Media Officer, Cherry Hamilton, can be contacted on 0161 249 2469 or e-mail cherry.hamilton@usdaw.org.uk
• Usdaw (the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is the UK’s fourth biggest trade union, with over 371,000 members. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the union also has many members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemicals and other trades.
• More information and news releases are available at our online Newsroom.
• Subscribe/unsubscribe to Usdaw news releases via our online e-news service at: http://www.usdaw.org.uk/site/email.html

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