CARERS' POVERTY

EDM number 869 in 1999-00, proposed by Brian Cotter on 19/06/2000.

That this House expresses concern over research recently published by the Carers' National Association which paints a picture of many carers suffering financial hardship as a result of caring, with 77 per cent. of carers saying that they are worse off since becoming carers; regrets that the main carers' benefit, invalid care allowance, is the lowest benefit of its kind and is not available to carers over the age of 65 years; and urges the Government to make greater provision for carers by means of improving basic incomes and ensuring that people are aware of benefits to which they are entitled, bearing in mind that 40 per cent. of disability benefits go unclaimed.

This motion has been signed by a total of 81 MPs, 1 of these signatures have been withdrawn.