Rishi Sunak urged to raise benefit payments for unpaid carers

Households are having to deal with inflation at a 40-year high and energy bills rising by 27 percent as of this month. One of the groups most vulnerable to this is unpaid carers, who have to look after loved ones as well as themselves. Carer’s Allowance is one the primary benefit payments available to this group which is available through the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).However, the Government has yet to confirm by how much the benefit payment will be raised for next year.Every April, the rate of benefits such as Carer’s Allowance are increased with the state pension likely to rise in line with inflation next year.Campaigners are lobbying for Rishi Sunak to introduce a similar payment rate hike for unpaid carers.Currently, Carer’s Allowance is £69.70 a week if you care for someone at least 35 hours a week.READ MORE: 70 health conditions qualify for extra £156 a week in PIP from DWP Rishi Sunak urged to raise benefit payments for unpaid carers – ‘It is essential!’ (Image: GETTY)The person being looked after by the unpaid carer must be on a qualifying benefit payment from the DWP.Speaking in the House of Commons earlier this week, Mr Sunak said: ‘I always acted in a way to protect the most vulnerable.’That’s because it is the right thing to do and those are the values of our compassionate party.’I can absolutely reassure him and give him that commitment that we will continue to act like that in the weeks ahead.’DON’T MISSState pension sum may be less if you were ‘contracted out’ – check now [WARNING]What the falling pound will mean for YOUR finances [ALERT]Single mum on Universal Credit shares her top tips for saving money [INSIGHT]450,000 people may be placed on energy prepayment meters [ALERT]One of the organisations calling for more to be done is Carers UK, which advocates for the interests and wellbeing of unpaid carers across the nation.The charity is pushing for an increase in benefit support of up to £500 to help those most in need.Helen Walker, the chief executive of Carers UK, outlined what is currently at stake for unpaid careers.Ms Walker said: ‘We know that many carers providing round the clock care are at crisis point – bearing the brunt of exceptionally high inflation, including a rapid rise in the cost of food and energy and having to turn to food banks.READ MORE: Paramedic shares how she dishes up tasty meals costing 68p per portion Carers are looking for greater support (Image: GETTY)She added: ‘It is essential that the new Prime Minister sticks to his previous pledge and uprates all carer benefits in line with inflation at the earliest opportunity.’Carers UK is also calling for carers to receive a winter top up payment of at least £500, so that they have a better chance of managing and keeping themselves and their loved ones well in the short term.’From his time as Chancellor, Rishi Sunak knows the huge challenges our social care system faces – and so it is vital that long-term investment in social care is delivered, to enable carers to take breaks and get back into the labour market if they wish to.’Having forgone any meaningful support for so long, carers are now burnt out, exhausted, and their health and livelihoods are in jeopardy.’