Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK, said:

“The Chancellor has earmarked £75 million over the next three years to put right the failures that led to the Carer’s Allowance overpayments scandal. Yesterday’s commitment to reassess cases where averaging of earnings could have reduced overpayments is a vital step towards addressing the injustices carers have faced for far too long. In the coming days, we will be examining how much of this funding will directly benefit carers and how much will be used to implement the new systems and processes that are so urgently needed to prevent this happening again.

“In April this year we also welcomed measures to increase the earnings limit on Carer’s Allowance from £151 to £196 per week, the equivalent of 16 hours at the National Living Wage. Today the Government committed to a further increase in the National Living Wage, and it has previously said that the earnings limit will keep pace with this - to avoid a situation where carers must reduce the hours they work every time there is an increase in the National Living Wage. We will look forward to seeing the details of this shortly.

“It is deeply disappointing that social care was once again missing from today’s Budget. 65% of unpaid carers say that they feel overwhelmed because they can’t take time away from their caring roles. Many are unable to access respite or even a short break, due to chronic underfunding, placing immense pressure on their health and wellbeing. We urgently need decisive action to strengthen the social care system so carers can get the support they so desperately need.

“We welcome the Chancellor’s acknowledgement of the financial strain families are under, but unpaid carers are being hit especially hard. They already face additional costs linked to their caring roles, and 1.2 million are living in poverty. Our research shows that nearly half (49%) of carers have cut back on essentials such as food, heating, clothing and transport, while a third (32%) have turned to loans, credit cards or overdrafts. Measures announced today to reduce day-to-day costs are helpful, but support for unpaid carers must go further.”

For further detail on government spending announced today click here.