The Government’s own estimates say that 150,000 unpaid carers would lose Carers Allowance as a result of the proposed cuts contained in the legislation. It would act as a double whammy for these households, as these carers lose their Carers Allowance as a result of the loved one that they care for losing their Personal Independence Payments due to the reforms.
The party has said the Government’s plans to strip away Carers Allowance would be a ‘false economy’, as carers becoming financially unable to look after their loved ones would increase pressure on the NHS, social care and local government services. The Lib Dems have instead said that the best way to get the welfare bill down is by addressing the crisis in the NHS and social care, to get people off waiting lists and back into work.
Caroline urged ministers to “change course” in order to stop these reforms pushing a further 250,000 people, including 50,000 children, into poverty according to the Government’s own assessment.
If passed, the Liberal Democrat amendment would stop the bill from becoming law in order to protect thousands of unpaid carers and their loved ones, including in South Devon, falling victim to these cuts.
Liberal Democrat MP for South Devon, Caroline Voaden said:
“The stories I’ve heard from vulnerable constituents worried they’ll lose vital support should shame this Government. The Prime Minister might like to think the revolt around his welfare bill is just ‘noise’, but that couldn’t be further from the truth: not only are over a hundred Labour MPs opposing it, but all the Liberal Democrats are too.
“No one doubts the Conservatives made a complete mess of our welfare system, but the way to fix their mistakes is not by cutting support for disabled people and those who care for them.
“We need to offer them more support, not less, and that’s why I’m proud to have signed the Liberal Democrat amendment to the Government’s misguided reforms that would protect carers and people here in South Devon from these damaging cuts.”
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