HC Deb 07 March 2002 vol 381 c536W
Mr. Cox

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when the financial assistance given to carers was last reviewed. [38203]

Maria Eagle

In autumn 2000 a substantial package of measures to help carers was announced. This amounts to over £500 million of extra support in the first three years covered by the announcement.

It includes a number of improvements to the main carer benefits aimed in particular at helping older and poorer carers, as well as helping carers to keep in touch with work by making part-time employment more worthwhile financially.

The package also included measures to remove the barrier that prevents people aged 65 or over from claiming invalid care allowance; ensure entitlement to ICA will continue for up to eight weeks after the death of the disabled person; and rename ICA as "carer's allowance".