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Gordon Lishman‚ Director General of Age Concern‚ said:

“It is a step in the right direction for carers to be able to earn more and still be able to claim Carer’s Allowance. Carer’s play an invaluable‚ and increasing‚ role in our ageing society‚ with most carers looking after older people. Yet many people’s income is restricted because of their caring commitments. It is important that the Government helps carers to be able to combine work and care.

“Despite the fact that the cost of caring can quickly escalate‚ thousands of carers across the country are still missing out on their share of the annual £740 million in unclaimed carers’ benefits. Age Concern’s across the country can offer free‚ clear and confidential benefits advice to anyone caring for an older person who thinks they might be missing out.”

 ENDS

FACTFILE
New figures from Carer’s UK show carers they save the UK £87billion a year
Around 1 in 8 adults in the UK is a carer
The most likely age to be a carer is between 50-59
Most carers look after older people‚ an estimated 70% of those cared for are 65 years or over
1 in 3 carers (38%) are caring for their parents‚ while almost 1 in 5 (18%) are caring for their spouse
By 2037 the number of carers could have increased to 9 million due to an ageing population and changes in community care policy
Recent Carers UK research revealed 72% of carers polled were worse off since they started caring‚ with 33% in debt
53% of those surveyed said that financial worries are affecting their health

Notes to Editors:

Local Age Concerns across the country offer free‚ clear and confidential benefits information and advice‚ and help with filling in forms. To find their nearest Age Concern or for more information older people‚ their friends‚ relatives or carers can call the charity’s free information line on 0800 00 99 66.

Through its year-long Your Rights campaign Age Concern aims to put an extra £100 million of money benefits in the pockets of older people by April 2008.

For general enquiries please contact us.

Journalists contact:

Media contact:
Emma Hayes
Telephone:
020 8765 7515
Email:
Media@ace.org.uk