The following motion submitted in accordance with Procedure Rule 12 of the Meeting Procedure Rules has been proposed by Councillor Chris Matthews and seconded by Councillor Millie Earl:-
The Council notes:
The pandemic has opened all our eyes to the importance of carers, whether employed in the care sector or the 6.5 million unpaid people who care for a family member or friend who is elderly or has a disability, or a mental or physical illness.
Despite this, the Government has overlooked these key workers and have failed to offer adequate support, and unpaid carers in particular have been left to face mounting financial and emotional pressures.
The Council further notes:
Carers in BCP face major financial and emotional challenges every single day; challenges that have been made even harder by the pandemic. Most are having to spend more time looking after loved ones; most haven’t been able to take a single break since it started; and most are simply exhausted.
In response to the pandemic, the Government increased the Universal Credit standard allowance and the Working Tax Credit basic element by £20 a week, but it has not increased Carer’s Allowance. At just £67.25 a week, Carer’s Allowance is the lowest benefit of its kind.
Many carers are unaware of their entitlement to Carer’s Allowance, a carers assessment or break, and the support services available. The latest government figures show that 6,261 unpaid carers in BCP are entitled to receive Carer’s Allowance, although only 4,103 currently do, leaving 2,158 carers with little or no support.
Carers UK research shows that unpaid carers in the UK have saved the state £530 million every day of the pandemic but many are struggling to make ends meet, often relying on foodbanks to feed themselves and the people they care for. It is time to give carers the support they deserve.
1) Consequently, Council resolves:
a) That the portfolio holder for adults and lead member for engagement bring forward a report to Health and Adult Social Care Overview and Scrutiny Committee, to:
i) highlight the work and voluntary efforts of carers across the conurbation;
ii) identify what is being done, and what can be done to support carers in Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole including those who are not in receipt Carer’s Allowance.
b) To promote Young Carers Action Day which is on 16 March widely on an annual basis, particularly to young carers and their families; as well as promote Carers Week in June and Carers Rights Day on November 26 annually.
2) Council calls on the Leader of the Council to:
a) Write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, and copy in local MPs, urging them to:
i) immediately increase Carer’s Allowance by £1,000 a year, from its current rate of £67.25 a week to £87.25, in line with the £20 a week uplift in Universal Credit, including those who do not receive the Allowance due to overlapping benefits and with equivalent increase in Carer Premium and Carer Addition, and;
ii) expand the eligibility for Carer’s Allowance, by raising the earning limit from £128 a week to at least £139.52.
The above motion has been signed by the BCP Liberal Democrat Group as follows:
Cllrs Marcus Andrews, Michael Brooke, David Brown, Richard Burton, Mike Cox, Toby Johnson, Marion Le Poidevin, Rachel Maidment, Sandra Moore, Mark Robson, Vikki Slade and Tony Trent
Minutes:
Councillor Matthews moved and Councillor Flagg seconded that the motion as set out on the agenda be deferred until the next Council meeting.
RESOLVED that the above proposal be agreed.
Voting: Unanimous.