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Spotlight Day: Working carers 13 June 2007On June 13 more than 50 MPs crowded into the Jubilee Room at the House of Commons to hear from two Usdaw members with caring responsibilities as part of the Supporting Parents and Carers Spotlight Day. "This was part of Usdaw's call to scrap the limit of £87 on Carer's Allowance," said General Secretary John Hannett. "Our reps and activists from across the UK took the campaign into their workplaces, talking to members and non-members and customers about Carer's Allowance and the new extended right to request flexible working. "Hundreds of surveys were completed and thousands of signatures were collected on petitions that will be presented to the Government later this year."
Carer Tracey speaks outTesco 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 so is disqualified from getting Carer's 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," Tracey said. "I told MPs that not being able to get Carer's 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 around 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. Being entitled to the £48.65 Carer's 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 made the case to 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 Carer's Allowance it would give me the recognition I think I deserve as well as the much needed extra income." www.usdaw.org.uk/campaigns/supportingparentsandcarers  Printer Friendly Page  Email to a Friend
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