CARERS ALLOWANCE EARNINGS LIMIT

That this House believes that carers provide a valuable service to the community and should be encouraged and supported to remain in education or employment while undertaking their caring responsibilities; notes the terms on the Government website, which states that the earnings limit for those receiving careers allowance is no more than £110 a week after taxes, care costs while you are at work and 50 per cent of what you pay into your pension; expresses concern that applicants whose average earnings are within this weekly limit, but who are paid irregularly, can have their carers allowance suspended if they breach an unpublished earnings limit for a calendar month; and believes that the system imposes an unjustified burden on low-paid carers, represents a waste of staff resources and reinforces the image of a Government that seems unconcerned at the impact of their activities on some of the most vulnerable members of our society.