Carers (Hansard, 31 October 1994)

§ Mr. Jim Cunningham
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has for removing the age limit on elderly carers after the age of 65 years; what are the reasons for the age limit; and if he will consider allowing carers after the age of 65 to claim invalidity care allowance.

§ Mr. Hague
Invalid care allowance is intended for people of working age who give up the opportunity of full-time employment because of their caring responsibilities.
We have no plans to allow carers over the age of 65 to claim ICA.

§ Mr. Jim Cunningham
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to adapt the benefits system for carers in line with the recommendations of the social services committee and the social security advisory committee.

§ Mr. Hague
We welcome the contributions made by the committees. However, we have no plans at present further to amend the system of support for carers.

§ Mr. Jim Cunningham
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if he will make it his policy to provide more financial assistance to carers;
(2) what discussions he has had with the Chancellor of the Exchequer regarding the use of savings on his Budget to provide more financial assistance to carers.
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§ Mr. Hague
The Government recognise the contribution made by carers to society and will continue to keep the financial provision made for them under review.
It is not usual practice to divulge the nature of any discussions which may have taken place with the Chancellor of the Exchequer prior to his Budget statement.

§ Mr. Jim Cunningham
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what are the reasons underlying the policy whereby a disabled person cannot claim the severe disability premium if the carer is receiving invalid care allowance.

§ Mr. Roger Evans
The severe disability premium is intended to give extra help to severely disabled people living independently, who are most likely to need to purchase care. Invalid care allowance is intended to provide a level of financial assistance to those people who have given up the opportunity of full-time employment because of their caring responsibilities. To pay both in respect of an individual's care needs would be to provide the same help twice.