Over 80,000 carers will receive a one-off payment of £230 next month from the Scottish Government, if plans are approved by MSPs.

The cash is in recognition of the extra hardships and financial difficulties faced by carers during the virus crisis.

There are estimated to be around three quarters of a million adult carers in Scotland, and over 29,000 carers under the age of 16.

Those in receipt of Carers Allowance – around 83,000 Scots – would automatically receive an extra £230.10 in June if emergency legislation is passed by the Scottish Parliament.

Alison McGinley is an unpaid carer in Glasgow for her four children who all have autism.

She told healthandcare.scot how her son Aaron, who has the most advanced support needs out of his siblings, has been left without support or any respite care during the pandemic.

The reduction in support came just as he was about to make the difficult transition move from children to adult support services.

Caring commitments means Alison is unable to work – although as her children get older she hopes to return to employment – but getting by on Carers Allowance is often difficult for her and her family.

The Scottish Government already provides a supplement to Carers Allowance – a UK benefit that campaigners say is too low and leaves carers struggling to get by.

The cash boost proposed today will cost the public purse around £19.2m and add to the supplement already paid by the Scottish Government that comes as a twice yearly payment.

If approved by Parliament, eligible carers would be set to receive a total of £690.30 this year on top of their Carers Allowance.

In April a leading carer support charity warned increased financial support for many carers was urgently needed as cuts to support were leaving many ‘near breaking point’.

The Government’s proposal comes after Carers Scotland called for an increase to Carers Allowance to stop families getting into greater financial hardship.

Despite Health Secretary Jeane Freeman stating cuts to social care packages were “not acceptable”, carers have spoken of how support services have been reduced or even withdrawn completely as services grapple with the pandemic.

Similar moves have been made elsewhere in the UK as authorities try to offer greater recognition of the work undertaken by carers through cash sums. In Wales £32.2m has been set aside to cover the cost of a £500 cash bonus for all social care workers.

Scotland’s Cabinet Secretary for Social Security and Older People, Shirley-Anne Somerville said the top up announced today recognises the “vital support” provided and “important contribution” made by unpaid carers to society:

“Our collective efforts to slow the spread of coronavirus will see many of these carers experiencing additional pressures, particularly financial, right now,” she said.

“The payment will benefit carers who are on low incomes and already have some of the most intense caring roles, providing at least 35 hours unpaid care weekly to a disabled child or adult in receipt of higher-level disability benefits.

“This additional payment would be an acknowledgement to carers that we know that they are doing even more right now, and we thank you.”

 

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