Highland MSP calls for care allowance top up
Highland and Islands Labour MSP Rhoda Grant has renewed calls for the SNP to bring forward plans to top-up Carer’s Allowance, as new analysis reveals a 34 per cent increase in the number of people receiving the benefit in Highland Council’s area.
Figures show that from May 2010 to August 2016 the number of people being paid the allowance increased from 1898 to 2537 in the area.
In last year’s Holyrood election, all parties in the Scottish Parliament supported increasing Carer’s Allowance to the same level as Jobseeker’s Allowance - a move which would net carers an extra £600 a year.
The SNP government has had the power to deliver this top up since last September, and in March new powers to overhaul carers and disability benefits were devolved to the Scottish Parliament.
Carers Scotland reports that a third of carers are struggling to pay utility bills, 47 per cent have been in debt and half are struggling to make ends meet, cutting back on food and heating as a result.
Since November 2016, eligibility for Carer’s Allowance has exempted households from the hated benefit cap.
Ms Grant said: “The SNP government needs to get a move on and deliver on its promise to top-up Carer’s Allowance.
“The new powers over social security give us a chance to build a truly fairer Scotland – but the Scottish Government needs to use them now and not delay any longer.”