Carers earn more without losing benefits

Carers will be able to earn more money without losing their benefits from today.

The maximum amount of money carers can earn without losing their entitlement to their Carer’s Allowance will rise from £87 to £95 per week.

Work and pensions secretary Peter Hain announced the move last month and it comes into effect today.

The increase in the earnings limit is an interim measure ahead of the government’s forthcoming review of the National Carers Strategy which will look at how Carers Allowance could be reformed to meet today’s needs more effectively.