The Minister for Social Security has told a care conference that the launch of a devolved Scottish Carer’s Assistance is one of the Scottish government’s main focuses this year – and confirmed that those caring for more than one person could receive an additional payment on top of this.

However, some carers at the meeting questioned whether the system truly recognised the role they play.

Ben Macpherson MSP today told carers that work has already begun to see how quickly the benefit can be rolled out, though he offered no specific date for implementation.

Mr Macpherson also reaffirmed a commitment to an extra £10 a week payment for those caring for multiple people at once and said the government were exploring options for a separate payment for carers who had been caring for a long time.

A government consultation on the devolved benefit does not commit to increasing the core value of carers allowance above that of the current DWP benefit, which is currently set at £67.60 a week.

One carer speaking at today’s Carers Summit organised by Carers Scotland said it was “absolutely ridiculous” that earning just £1 more than the earnings threshold meant losing entitlement to carers allowance in full. They said it was “extremely harsh” to carers in employment.

Another questioned the purpose of a carer’s allowance altogether – whether it is intended to alleviate poverty or to recognise the work carers do, and that the eligibility and value should reflect this.

Mr McPherson told the Summit that ministers want “not only to deliver a better benefit with Scottish Carers Assistance from day one, but also a benefit that will continue to improve and evolve to meet the needs of carers in the future based on your views and feedback”.

The consultation on the new Carers Allowance closes in May.

Alongside benefits reform, the Scottish government has committed to publish a Carers Strategy by the end of spring – a Scottish government representative told the summit this could be expected by the 20^th of June at the latest.

Carers UK CEO, Helen Walker, called for the Scottish government to deliver a specific carer poverty strategy - similar to the child poverty strategy - though said there has been “a lot more best practice in Scotland during the pandemic compared to elsewhere in the UK”.

The Scottish branch of the charity has recently voiced concern over the rising costs of living, and has called on the government to double the increase in the level of all devolved benefits next month to at least meet inflation.

An extra double payment of carer’s allowance supplement, which was paid twice during the pandemic, should also be paid to support carers through this especially challenging time, says Carers Scotland.

Ms Walker told the Summit that the organisation is campaigning UK-wide for caregiving to be legally recognised under the Equality Act as a 10^th Protected Characteristic.

This would give carers, like people with disabilities and pregnant people, legal protection from discrimination in workplaces and wider society on account of their caregiving responsibilities.

Read more: Unpaid carers being “pushed to the brink”; Views sought on new carer benefit; Ministers promise new carers strategy.

Sign up to our bulletin for key health & social care updates straight to your inbox.