Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK, said: “The overpayments case highlighted in the media over the weekend is indicative of a much wider issue about how unpaid carers are valued and treated by government and by society. A wholescale reform and review of Carer’s Allowance and other carers’ benefits is needed to ensure these adequately support unpaid carers during the time they spend caring for someone and so that the system does not punish them for misinterpreting complicated and harsh earnings rules.

“It’s shocking that there has been so little investment in the way that Carer’s Allowance is operated and the tight rules mean that many carers who need it, aren’t getting it. It’s even worse when you consider how much unpaid carers’ support is worth, which is billions every year.   

“We need the systems within Department for Work and Pensions to understand and tackle some of the challenges carers face in claiming benefits much better. We want to see the Department’s research, which they commissioned several years ago and, despite repeated requests, has not been published.

“Thousands of carers have told us that reforming carers’ finances is their top priority. Unpaid carers deserve better from our politicians and they must be a priority for investment.”