§ Mr. MeacherTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his estimate of the number who would benefit each year if people receiving invalid care allowance were eligible for unemployment benefit when those they care for die, go into residential care or to hospital; and what would be the yearly cost.
§ Mrs. Gillian ShephardOnly those former carers who have received invalid care allowance for a period in excess of two and a half to three years would fail to qualify for unemployment benefit by virtue of a lack of recently paid national insurance contributions. As the average duration of invalid care allowance is approximately two years, most former carers who claim unemployment benefit qualify for it. Details of the numbers who fail to qualify for unemployment benefit are not available.