Chair of Work and Pensions Committee Urges Ministers to Address Carer's Allowance Overpayments Crisis
Stephen Timms, the chair of the Work and Pensions Committee, has urged ministers to immediately address issues causing tens of thousands of unpaid carers to incur large accidental overpayments from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
Timms expressed concern over the growing anger surrounding the carer's allowance scandal and the financial distress it is causing for carers.
He emphasized that the DWP should be supporting carers instead of harassing them.
Timms stated that the situation appears to be worsening.
The chair of the Commons work and pensions committee, Timms, accused the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) of ignoring notifications when unpaid carers earned more than the £151-week limit, leading to accidental overpayments and severe penalties.
The Guardian reported that over 156,000 unpaid carers are currently repaying penalties, with some totalling over £20,000.
Approximately one in five unpaid carers in part-time work exceeded the earnings limit last year.
Rishi Sunak, the UK's Chancellor, is under political pressure to forgive debts and provide an amnesty for unpaid carers due to a scandal where carers have been fined heavily or even prosecuted for unwittingly not receiving Carer's Allowance.
These carers, who are praised by ministers for their crucial role in supporting the NHS and social care system, have experienced despair and stress due to these financial penalties.
Timms's intervention refers to a call for action to address this issue.
He emphasized that the DWP should be supporting carers instead of harassing them.
Timms stated that the situation appears to be worsening.
The chair of the Commons work and pensions committee, Timms, accused the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) of ignoring notifications when unpaid carers earned more than the £151-week limit, leading to accidental overpayments and severe penalties.
The Guardian reported that over 156,000 unpaid carers are currently repaying penalties, with some totalling over £20,000.
Approximately one in five unpaid carers in part-time work exceeded the earnings limit last year.
Rishi Sunak, the UK's Chancellor, is under political pressure to forgive debts and provide an amnesty for unpaid carers due to a scandal where carers have been fined heavily or even prosecuted for unwittingly not receiving Carer's Allowance.
These carers, who are praised by ministers for their crucial role in supporting the NHS and social care system, have experienced despair and stress due to these financial penalties.
Timms's intervention refers to a call for action to address this issue.
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