Over one million unpaid UK carers for disabled, frail, or ill relatives live in poverty, with one in 10 struggling to afford food or heat their homes, according to research by Carers UK. This situation forces them into severe financial hardship, with many unable to maintain part-time jobs due to restrictive carer's allowance limits. Recent reports show the Department for Work and Pensions is reclaiming two hundred fifty-one million pounds in overpayments from one hundred thirty-four thousand carers, exacerbating their financial struggles.
Over one million unpaid UK carers for disabled, frail, or ill relatives live in poverty, with one in 10 struggling to afford food or heat their homes, according to research by Carers UK.
This situation forces them into severe financial hardship, with many unable to maintain part-time jobs due to restrictive carer's allowance limits.
Recent reports show the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is reclaiming £251m in overpayments from 134,000 carers, exacerbating their financial struggles.
The call for reform includes raising the carer's allowance earning limit to £240 per week and increasing universal credit by £11 per week to lift thousands of carers out of poverty.