Carers UK and mobilise (2 carer organisations) Respond to the Government publication of the welfare reform green paper.
The impact on UK Unpaid Carers, events pre- Government Spring Statement
Two Carers’ support organisations, Carers UK and Mobilise, respond to recent government statements and policy reforms.
The news and politics can increase worries and anxiety. If you’re feeling tired and worn, I see you. Consider taking a break from news and noise.
I’ve written this article to lay out the facts and evidence, amplify the viewpoints of unpaid carer experts and try to get to the ‘So what does this all mean for us?’
Here in the UK, ahead of the Spring Statement (Wednesday, March 26), there’s been a flurry of government statements/actions:
Wes Streeting on the Laura Kuenssberg programme, Sunday, March 9. There is an "overdiagnosis" of mental health conditions with "too many people being written off", Health Secretary Wes Streeting has said.
The Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s abolition of the NHS England Quango (Thursday, March 13)
Liz Kendall, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (DWP) announcements (Tuesday, March 18) about the benefits overhaul.
This has been a week of politics that has created much anxiety, fear, and confusion.
The Carer Mentor Publication, iCARE stack, ComfortZone, and community support network can provide empathy and insights to help you.
The CAPE Anthology will continue to Raise Awareness. Dispelling the myth that Carers are Superhuman. Care, be Aware, Prepare & Engage (CAPE).
Contents:
What the recent Government’s publication of the welfare reform green paper can mean for Unpaid Carers in the UK: Carers UK Press Release and the email sent by the mobilise organisation to its carer members
Useful UK Organisations that can offer carers support
The Government Statements Politics and policy changes ahead of the Spring Budget (March 9 - March 26th, 2025)
1. Carers UK responds to the Government’s publication of the welfare reform green paper proposing changes to disability and health benefits (18 March 2025)
Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK, said:
“We are very concerned that the plans the Government has published today could hit unpaid carers, disabled people and their families very hard, if implemented in full.
“While we agree the current system is unfit for purpose and a greater focus on prevention, early intervention and personalised support are much needed, the financial impact of tightening eligibility to essential disability benefits could severely impact on individuals and families who are already struggling financially.
“1.2 million unpaid carers in the UK are living in poverty, (with 400,000 in deep poverty). Raising the qualifying threshold for support could mean even more carers will struggle to afford essentials like food and heating.
“Future changes to Personal Independence Payments (PIP) are likely to affect carers’ entitlement to Carer’s Allowance – over half of Carer’s Allowance awards are tied to PIP. Many carers have disabilities or long-term health conditions and caring is a risk factor in having to give up work. 28% of carers are disabled, compared with 18% of non-carers. Around 150,000 unpaid carers also receive both Carer’s Allowance and PIP, relying on these vital benefits to get by.
“Government could have taken the opportunity to do much more for unpaid carers in this green paper, particularly around enabling and supporting unpaid carers to remain part of the workforce where they are able to do so. Carers’ benefits are long overdue for reform. They also need better support from the NHS with their own health as well as good quality, affordable social care to help them stay in or re-enter work. Unpaid carers and their families need to get adequate financial support, whether they are in or out of the workplace.”
The informative email from mobilise.
You may have seen in the news yesterday that the government has announced plans to reform the welfare system, with a focus on reducing the benefits bill. Changes to welfare can have a huge impact on us as unpaid carers, so I wanted to take a moment to break down what yesterday’s announcement could mean for us.
[the following text is quoted directly from the mobilise email]
What the changes to benefits mean for us
Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall has outlined plans, including:
Scrapping of WCA (work capability assessment) in 2028 - The government plans to eliminate the Work Capability Assessment by 2028. Instead, claims will be assessed through the PIP system.
Changes to Universal Credit - The Universal Credit health element for existing claimants will be frozen, meaning payments will not rise with inflation. But there will be an increase in the Universal Credit standard allowance and a new premium for severe, lifelong conditions starting in 2026.
Stricter Personal Independence Payment (PIP) eligibility - From November 2026, the criteria for PIP will be tightened, meaning some may lose eligibility or receive reduced payments, though those with severe conditions won’t face reassessments.
Removing barriers to trying work – A new “right to work” scheme will allow those on incapacity benefits to try working without losing financial support. For those of us thinking of returning to work, we may benefit from more flexibility during the transition. Read more on carer's rights in the workplace in our guide.
Changes like this can feel worrying and often seem beyond our control, but it’s important to know that we’re not alone in navigating these shifts. It’s understandable if yesterday’s announcements raises questions or concerns and we’ll be keeping a close eye on developments.
If we’re worried about how these changes could affect us, it’s helpful to know what other support options are out there. Here are some useful resources as a starting point:
💰 Check if you're eligible for Carer's Allowance, the main benefit for unpaid carers.
🚙 Use our Blue Badge checker to find out if you or the person you care for might be eligible (including hidden disabilities).
✅ See our financial checklist for carers, so you're not missing out on support.Is there something you feel we could be doing together to support those of us affected by this? Or a question you'd like to know the answer to? Let us know in the Mobilise Hub.
2. Useful UK Organisations that can offer support
Carers UK: For unpaid carers with expert information, advice and support. A Carers discussion forum (anonymous participation). Campaigning to make life better for carers. Helpline to talk to a trained expert
mobilise 'Together we care and thrive' Looking after a family member or friend, who has a disability, long-term illness or is elderly? Well you might be struggling to find support with anything from finances to practical help, from mealtimes to continence, from hospital discharge to finding time for yourself. We’ve got you.
Carers Trust Young Carers Advice and Support for young carers
MIND Crisis and Listening services
SCOPE We are Scope. We’re here to create an equal future with disabled people. We campaign to transform attitudes to disability, tackle injustice and inspire action.
UK Citizens Advice website
Flexa ‘Find your dream place to work. We find companies that you can trust, so you can find where you belong.’ Flexible work, remote work, and inclusive
Personal Commentary/Statements gathered by Victoria
We need organisations like Carers UK and 'mobilise, to translate the impact of these policies for Carers, and voice concerns because the eligibility/process and systems are convoluted and opaque. The impact on unpaid carers has not been addressed in recent government statements.
Rachel Reeves, The Chancellor, previously ruled out further tax rises, but faces difficult choices because of the performance of the UK economy and world events. Reeves has committed to one major economic event - the Budget 1- each year. That means no big policy announcements are expected on 26 March, The Spring Statement, but that's not stopping them being made beforehand. It’s worth noting Reeves has repeatedly said her rules are "non-negotiable". Her two main rules are:
Not to borrow to fund day-to-day public spending
To get debt falling as a share of national income by the end of this parliament
Ahead of the Spring Statement, the Treasury has drafted plans for several billion pounds of spending cuts.
What is the OBR: The independent Office for Budget Responsibility was established in 2010 to monitor the public sector’s finances. Twice a year – usually alongside each Budget and Spring or Autumn Statement – we produce detailed forecasts for the coming five years, assessing the likely impact of any policy decisions and expected developments in the economy. We then use these forecasts to assess the Government’s performance against the fiscal targets that it has set itself for the management of the public finances.
Carers Allowance for unpaid carers (not a means-tested benefit, it’s not easy to calculate):
'Care in the UK. 10 Facts Which Shock'
Updated Wednesday, October 30th, following the Autumn Budget, by the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves MP.
£196 +£81.90 = £277.90 per week. This is IF the unpaid carer can work to the maximum cap of £196 (16 hours) while caring for someone for 35 hours a week to receive Carers Allowance (£81.90). THAT'S 51 hours/week to get £277.90 Less than minimum wage, and beholden to unpredictable symptoms and appointments.
Currently, the Carers Allowance has not been reformed. It was sidestepped by increasing the maximum cap that a carer can work (in my view, this was done because of the overpayment scandal).
Carers who care 35 hours are paid less than the minimum wage, i.e., earn less than an over-21-year-old who works 35 hours.
While unpaid carers provide ‘free care services’ for family/friends there are still many direct costs that a family has to pay. Financial burdens increase, but the ability to earn/work has decreased.
Be aware and BE Wary of Virtual wards (I’ve had personal experience October 2024 something I’ll share when I’ve the space/time). There’s added burden on family to nurse someone at home with added expectations and data entry at an emotional time:
A study published in BMJ Open last week, which assessed 318 virtual ward patients with a range of conditions at Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh teaching hospitals NHS trust, suggested that while their initial hospital stay was shorter, they also experienced higher rates of readmission, which ultimately led to additional costs.2
The NHS discussions do not include social care. January 2025: No social care reform but there is new commission headed by Baronness Casey to readout partially in 2026 and then fully in 2028. “Ministers plan biggest shake-up of adult social care in England for decades But final report on reforms would not emerge until 2028, which health leaders say is kicking crisis ‘into the long grass.’ “
There are Reports but no cross-party action: Social care commissions: looking back to move forward (15 November 2024) Authors: Lucinda Allen Richard Humphries Hugh Alderwick
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4. Politics and policy changes ahead of the Spring Budget (March 9 - March 26th 2025)
Ahead of the Spring Statement (March 26) there’s been a flurry of government statements/actions. Wes Streeting on the Laura Kuenssberg programme, Sunday, March 9. The Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s abolition of the NHS England Quango3 (March 13) plus Liz Kendall's (Secretary of State) DWP announcements (March 18) about the benefits overhaul. This week of politics has created much anxiety.
Mental health conditions are overdiagnosed, Streeting says
Streeting told the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme the welfare system had to be "sustainable", as he defended the government's forthcoming reforms aimed at cutting the benefits bill.
Mental health charity Mind has since warned it was important to be "extremely careful" with the language around diagnoses to avoid stigmatising people. (BBC Political reporter Joshua Nevett)
Over diagnosis and stigmatisation are what Wes Streeting has been accused of By
breaks down this statement the UK Health Minister made during an interview on March 9th.“Here’s the other thing, mental wellbeing, illness, it’s a spectrum and I think definitely there’s an overdiagnosis, but there’s too many people being written off and, to your point about treatment, too many people who just aren’t getting the support they need. So if you can get that support to people much earlier, then you can help people to either stay in work or get back to work.”
Keir Starmer scraps NHS England to put health service ‘into democratic control’
NHS England to be axed as role returns to government control
How did Andrew Lansley reorganise health and create NHS England?
Former Tory health minister’s 2012 scheme marked the biggest reorganisation in NHS history. March 14
Wes Streeting warns hundreds more health quangos could face axe. Health secretary says the scrapping of NHS England is ‘beginning, not end’ of bid to slash ‘bloated bureaucracy’ March 15
Benefits crackdown unveiled with aim to save £5bn a year by 2030
The government has unveiled sweeping changes to the benefits system, aimed at saving £5bn a year by 2030. March 18
Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall said the overhaul would create a more "pro-work system" to encourage people to take up jobs, while protecting those who cannot work.
The changes will make it harder for people with less severe conditions to claim disability payments. Extra benefit payments for health conditions will also be frozen for current claimants and nearly halved for new applicants.
And people aged under 22 could be prevented from claiming universal credit top-up payments for health conditions.
Chris Mason: Uncertainty over benefits changes could go on for some time yet March 18
What will be in the chancellor's Spring Statement? (published 9 March updated 14 march)
The chancellor will give an update on her plans for the UK economy when she gives a statement alongside an economic forecast on 26 March.
Rachel Reeves has previously ruled out further tax rises, but faces difficult choices because of the performance of the UK economy and world events.
Carer Mentor by Victoria is free to read. If you have the means and would like to support the publication, I welcome monthly (£6) and annual (£50) subscriptions. Thank you for your ongoing support.
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What is the difference between the Spring Statement and the Autumn Budget (UK Chancellor)
The Chancellor must make two statements to Parliament each year about the progress of the economy based on and responding to economic forecasts produced by the Office of Budget responsibility. Historically, in recent years, this has resulted in a Budget statement in the spring and autumn, however, the Labour government have now committed to having just one Budget a year in late autumn, with a Spring Fiscal Statement. This is to try and bring in stability and simplicity for businesses, allowing more time for changes to be prepared for and made.
In the Autumn Budget, the Chancellor announces the main tax changes for the year ahead, and outlines the state of the economy and the latest predictions by the Office of Budget Responsibility (OBR). However, unless the forecasts drive is an immediate need to raise revenue, the Spring Statement for 2025 will not be used to announce tax changes.
Quango = Quasi-Autonomous Non-Governmental Organisation. It is an organisation that is funded by taxpayers, but not controlled directly by central government. (BBC News)
Thx for this. I heard Helen from Carers UK on Woman’s Hour yday. Worth listening to