§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what percentage of the social security budget is allocated for the financial support of carers;
744W(2) what was the total cost of the allowance paid to carers in the last year; and how many carers received the invalidity allowance;
(3) what proposals there are to increase that part of the social security budget applied to the carers allowance and carers invalidity allowance.
§ Mr. ScottCarers may be entitled to a wide range of benefits and financial support, which are not subject to cash-limiting or budget-allocation.
Expenditure for 1994–95 on invalid care allowance, which is specifically intended for carers, is estimated to constitute 0.61 per cent. of the social security budget, excluding administration.
The estimated expenditure for invalid care allowance for 1993–94 is £433 million1 and £510 million for 1994–95.2
The latest estimate of those in receipt of ICA is 249,988 as at 4 July 1994.3
Notes1From the Departmental Report 1994.2From the Departmental Report 19943Source: the ICA Unit, based on 100 per cent. count, subject to amendment.
§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many carers(a) receive and (b) do not receive the invalid care allowance (i) nationally and (ii) in Coventry.
§ Mr. ScottAs at 4 July 1994, there were 249,988 people in receipt of invalid care allowance in Great Britain.1 Figures are not available for numbers of carers in receipt of ICA in Coventry and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
Information on the numbers of carers not in receipt nationally or in Coventry is not available.
1Source:—the ICA Unit, based on 100 per cent. count, subject to amendment.
§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what precentage of carers receive the carers invalidity benefit(a) in Coventry and (b) nationally.
§ Mr. ScottNo such benefit as carers invalidity benefit exists, however, it is estimated that nationally 3.71 per cent. of carers receive invalid care allowance. Separate figures are not available for Coventry.
Source:
1Based on General Household Survey 1990 estimate.
§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proposals he has to bring the carers allowance in line with national average earnings.
§ Mr. ScottWe have no plans to do so. Invalid care allowance provides a measure of income maintenance and is not intended to be a wage for carers.
§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what representations he has received from carers organisations regarding(a) the carers allowance, (b) the stress factor and (c) the carers disability allowance;
(2) if he will name the carers organisations who have made representations to him about help to carers (a) from Coventry and (b) nationally;
(3) how many individuals have made representations to him about help for carers.
§ Mr. ScottIn the year ending 30 June 1994 representations were received from Coventry Carers 745W Forum, and other organisations including Caring Costs, Carers National Association, Alzheimer's Disease Society, Oxfordshire Carers Forum, Sutton Carers Forum, Barnet Carers Forum, RADAR.
Representations were also received from 266 individuals.
Representations have been received regarding the rate at which invalid care allowance is paid and the conditions of entitlement to ICA. These sometimes refer to the stress involved in caring.
No such benefit as carers disability allowance exists.
§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what changes he plans to the carers allowance and carers invalidity allowance for the current year.
§ Mr. ScottAs a result of the European Court ruling in the case of Thomas and others, we will shortly be legislating under the European Communities Act to equalise the age limits for claiming invalid care allowance and severe disablement allowance for men and women at 65.
§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what are his proposals for encouraging more people to become carers.
§ Mr. ScottThe Government recognise the contribution made by carers to society, and will continue to keep carers' benefits and other assistance under review.