Council backs campaign to raise Carers Allowance

Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council last night backed a campaign calling for the government to raise the Carers Allowance for hard-working local carers.

The motion proposed by Hinckley Lib Dem Councillor Michael Mullaney, called on the government to raise the Carers Allowance by £20 a week. Michael Mullaney said "Carers do an amazing job, however during the Covid19 pandemic they have had to provide care under even more challenging conditions. With it being nearly a year now since the first lockdown began, many carers have been providing help without a break during this time and many are both physically and mentally exhausted.

"Given the tremendous work our carers undertake, the least we can do is to raise the Carers Allowance from the very low level of £67.25 a week by twenty pounds. Carers do amazing work and there are thousands here in Hinckley and Bosworth and millions nationally. If anything positive is to come from the awful Covid19 pandemic, it's that as a society and community, we value the vital work our carers undertake even more."

Seconding the motion, Liberal Democrat Councillor for Newbold Verdon along with Desford and Peckleton Mark Sheppard-Bools said "Far from being a 'Top up Benefit' the Carers Allowance is a lifeline for many. Studies have shown that carers spend more on food, heating and transport and actually save the NHS £119 billion pounds a year.

"This increase in payments will go some way to easing the financial burden carers face and ensure those being cared for can do so at home by people who know them best."

The motion passed with the support of all Liberal Democrat and both Labour councillors, however Conservative Councillors mostly abstained and one actually voted against.