§ Mr. Ieuan Wyn JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the estimated total number of carers looking after disabled, sick or elderly people in the 865W United Kingdom; how many carers claimed (a) invalid care allowance and (b) income support in 1989; and if he will launch a review of carers' incomes.
§ Mr. Ieuan Wyn JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the estimated total number of carers looking after disabled, sick or elderly people in Wales; and how many of these receive(a) invalid care allowance or (b) income support.
§ Mr. Scott[holding answer 17 October 1990]: The information is not available in the form requested.
Any estimate of the number of carers of disabled people has to make certain assumptions on the amount of care provided. The 1985 general household survey suggested that there were 1.4 million adults in Great Britain caring for disabled people for at least 20 hours a week.
The numbers of carers in Great Britain in receipt of invalid care allowance (which is intended for people who forgo work opportunities to care for an attendance allowance recipient for at least 35 hours a week) was 119,000 on 30 June 1989. On 31 May 1989, 23,000 people were receiving income support who were also receiving invalid care allowance, or whose partners were.
A report based on research commissioned by the Department into the effectiveness of invalid care allowance as an income maintenance benefit is expected to be published in the next few months.