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Usdaw says parliamentary launch of national campaign to scrap earnings limit for carers was a huge success16 June 2006
Usdaw General Secretary John Hannett says the parliamentary launch of a national campaign to scrap the earning limits for carers attracted strong support from a number of influential MPs. Britain’s biggest retail union held the meeting at Westminster on their national Carers Spotlight Day to remind MPs that the present £84 per week earning limit means carers who work in retail and earn more than this don’t qualify for carers’ allowance of £46.95. Usdaw wants the Government to scrap the earning rule that presents retail workers with the difficult choice of either claiming the benefit and working less hours than they want to or working longer but losing their benefit. “We understand there does need to be rules about who qualifies for carers allowance but when you do qualify then those who care shouldn’t be penalised for going out to work to provide for themselves or their families,” John Hannett said. “This meeting was a huge success because a number of influential Labour MPs attended and promised to ask parliamentary questions and make representations to ministers on our behalf. “This Government has done a lot to support working carers but this rule means that many carers don’t have the option to increase their hours when they need to. I was delighted that the MPs were so supportive of our campaign which aims to remove a regulation that doesn’t reflect the reality of carers’ lives today – if indeed it ever did. The gainfully employed rule means that carers in work, earning over £84 a week don’t have their caring contribution recognised by the Government. This is appalling given carers save the nation billions of pounds every year.” The MPs heard a personal testimony from Lesley Jervis who cares for her husband Tony and who doesn’t qualify for carers allowance as she also holds down a full time job in a supermarket. “Since my husband had his stroke he needs twenty-four hour, seven-day a week care so he is vulnerable and is classed as at risk of danger and he cannot be left on his own at any time,” Lesley told MPs. “I care for my husband 116 hours a week, but because I work full-time I earn too much to be able to claim the Carers Allowance. “Work is important to me and of course I need to work for financial reasons. But work is about more than just that as it’s the best way to escape poverty, but it’s also about inclusion and participation. It helps boost my self-esteem, it gives me self-respect, a sense of belonging and a sense of status. And why should my caring contribution go unrecognised simply because I am in full time work?” Many of the MPs said Lesley’s testimony was an all too familiar complaint from carers in their constituencies. “Like the MPs I was deeply moved by what Lesley had to say about her personal struggle,” John Hannett said. “Lesley reminded us in a dignified way that carers in work need to have their caring contribution recognised by the benefit system and need support from employers so that they are able to mange their work and caring commitments. “We’re calling on MPs to sign EDM 2282 tabled by Helen Jones MP that will enable carers to make real decisions about how they combine work with care sending a clear signal to Government that there is real support for change.” Notes to Editors:
Contact Details Media and Communications Department Ph: 0161 224 2804 Fax: 0161 248 8588 Email: communications@usdaw.org.uk Web: http://www.usdaw.org.uk/news/  Printer Friendly Page  Email to a Friend
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