£70 Christmas bonus is great news for carers

SHOPWORKERS' union, Usdaw, is welcoming the news that carers will be entitled to a £70 Christmas bonus, helping to ease the financial burden on many of its members.

The Government has announced in a little-known section of the Pre-Budget Report that people claiming the Carer's Allowance will qualify for a £10 Christmas bonus plus an extra £60 in the New Year. Pensioners and many people on other benefits are also entitled to the payout.

John Hannett, Usdaw General Secretary, commented:- "Many of Usdaw's members are carers of adults and have to go out to work to make ends meet. These people do a fantastic job of looking after the person they care for as well as holding down a job and deserve all the support we can give them, so this additional help from the Government is very welcome news."

Usdaw has been running a high profile campaign to improve rights and benefits for working carers. The Government has already listened by extending the right to request flexible working, which is a big help in balancing work and home life.

John Hannett added:- "Our campaign for working carers continues as we seek a substantial increase in the value of Carer's Allowance and for the benefit to be available to more people on low incomes.

There is an army of working people out there who give up so much of their time and money to look after others. They save the Government billions of pounds each year providing help and support for the people who need it most and deserve our
full support."

More information on the Christmas bonus can be found online on direct.gov.uk. 

More information on Usdaw's Supporting Parents and Carers campaign can be found via Usdaw's website.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR:-  "CARERS HIT HARD BY ECONOMIC CRISIS"

"THE effect of rising costs and the economic downturn can be seen in local communities across the country. However, for carers, this is fast becoming a personal financial crisis as the numbers struggling to make ends meet have rocketed.

Alarming new statistics1 released by Carers UK reveal that the nation's carers are being stretched to the limit by the current economic situation. Nine in ten (86%) say their financial position is worse than 12 months ago, half of all carers are cutting back on food just to make ends meet, and 74% are struggling to pay utility bills. Carers have higher costs but fewer opportunities to meet them because many cannot work, reduced their working hours or are on a very low income.

The country depends heavily on families and friends providing care, unpaid, for an elderly, ill or disabled person – saving us a staggering £87 billion a year.

The Government recently promised a review of carers' benefits and have pledged that by 2018 that carers will not suffer financial hardship as a result of caring. Our survey today shows that they are suffering right now and we need immediate action to stop carers from sliding even further into poverty.

There has never been a more important time for carers to find out what financial help they are entitled to and Carers UK has produced new information for carers about their rights and entitlements. If you need advice, get in touch with us at www.carersuk.org or call the helpline on 0808 808 7777. "  Imelda Redmond, Chief Executive, Carers UK

References:-  1. 1,707 carers across the UK respondent to the Cost of Caring research conducted by Carers UK between September 2008 and October 2008.  The full research report can be downloaded from www.carersuk.org.   2. Over 1,000 local events are taking place to celebrate Carers Rights Day