Agenda item

Notice of Motion - Stand Up For Carers

COVID has presented so many challenges for us since March 2020.  This motion focuses on an opportunity to STAND UP FOR CARERS. 

At the end of 2019 in Powys there were approximately 2627 carers entitled to Carers Allowance, 1563 in receipt of allowance and 1064 of our Powys residents who care for someone unpaid. 

 

1. Council notes for the motion:

a.    Carers – paid and unpaid, young, and old – do a remarkable and important job. They are an integral part of the Powys community. They deserve our support but are far too often forgotten and ignored.

b.    Carers in Powys and across the Wales face big challenges every single day; challenges that have been made even harder by the COVID-19 pandemic. Most are having to spend more time looking after loved ones during the pandemic; most have not been able to take a single break since it started; and most are simply exhausted.

c.    Unpaid carers save the Welsh Government at least £8 billion per year.  Carers are asked to work anything from 35 hours to 168 hrs per week for the total payment of £67.25, when Council recruited paid carers can earn up to £1,176 in that same time frame.

2. Council further notes that:

a.    At just £67.25 a week, Carer’s Allowance is the lowest benefit of its kind.

b.    In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Government increased the Universal Credit standard allowance and the Working Tax Credit basic element by £20 a week above the planned uprating in April 2020, but it has not increased Carer’s Allowance.

c.    Many unpaid carers are facing extreme financial hardship. A recent survey by Carers UK found that more than a third of those on Carer’s Allowance are struggling to make ends meet. Many have been struggling for months, often relying on foodbanks to feed themselves and the people they care for. Powys has one of the highest rates of unpaid carers in Wales.  Unpaid carers amount to 41% of all carers and only Gwynedd can match that level (UK National Statistics 2019).

d.    The Carers UK survey found that “43% of carers felt that a rise in Carer’s Allowance would help them, given the financial pressures they are facing.”

3. Council resolves that:

a.    We must stand up for carers, do more to support them, and build a more caring society as we emerge from the Covid-19 pandemic.

4. Council directs the Leader of the Council to:

a.    Write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, urging them to raise Carer’s Allowance by £20 a week immediately, in line with the increase in Universal Credit.

b.    Council resolves to put out a general communication to unpaid carers, third sector organisations and community councils to encourage carers to claim Carers Allowance.

c.    Ensure that Powys County Council continues to do all it can to Stand up for Carers.

Proposed by County Councillor Jackie Charlton

 

Seconded by County Councillor Emily Durrant

 

Minutes:

Council debated the following motion moved by County Councillor Jackie Charlton and seconded by County Councillor William Powell:

 

COVID has presented so many challenges for us since March 2020.  This motion focuses on an opportunity to STAND UP FOR CARERS. 

At the end of 2019 in Powys there were approximately 2627 carers entitled to Carers Allowance, 1563 in receipt of allowance and 1064 of our Powys residents who care for someone unpaid. 

1. Council notes for the motion:

a.    Carers – paid and unpaid, young, and old – do a remarkable and important job. They are an integral part of the Powys community. They deserve our support but are far too often forgotten and ignored.

b.    Carers in Powys and across the Wales face big challenges every single day; challenges that have been made even harder by the COVID-19 pandemic. Most are having to spend more time looking after loved ones during the pandemic; most have not been able to take a single break since it started; and most are simply exhausted.

c.    Unpaid carers save the Welsh Government at least £8 billion per year.  Carers are asked to work anything from 35 hours to 168 hrs per week for the total payment of £67.25, when Council recruited paid carers can earn up to £1,176 in that same time frame.

2. Council further notes that:

a.    At just £67.25 a week, Carer’s Allowance is the lowest benefit of its kind.

b.    In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Government increased the Universal Credit standard allowance and the Working Tax Credit basic element by £20 a week above the planned uprating in April 2020, but it has not increased Carer’s Allowance.

c.    Many unpaid carers are facing extreme financial hardship. A recent survey by Carers UK found that more than a third of those on Carer’s Allowance are struggling to make ends meet. Many have been struggling for months, often relying on foodbanks to feed themselves and the people they care for. Powys has one of the highest rates of unpaid carers in Wales.  Unpaid carers amount to 41% of all carers and only Gwynedd can match that level (UK National Statistics 2019).

d.    The Carers UK survey found that “43% of carers felt that a rise in Carer’s Allowance would help them, given the financial pressures they are facing.”

3. Council resolves that:

a.    We must stand up for carers, do more to support them, and build a more caring society as we emerge from the Covid-19 pandemic.

4. Council directs the Leader of the Council to:

a.    Write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, urging them to raise Carer’s Allowance by £20 a week immediately, in line with the increase in Universal Credit.

b.    Council resolves to put out a general communication to unpaid carers, third sector organisations and community councils to encourage carers to claim Carers Allowance.

c.    Ensure that Powys County Council continues to do all it can to Stand up for Carers.

The mover of the motion confirmed that she had spoken with carers and Credu.

 

Part 3a of the Motion

By 45 votes to 1 with 5 abstentions it was

 

RESOLVED that we must stand up for carers, do more to support them, and build a more caring society as we emerge from the Covid-19 pandemic.

County Councillor Martin Weale left the meeting.

 

Part 4a of the Motion

 

By 29 votes to 13 with 8 abstentions it was

 

RESOLVED to direct the Leader of the Council to write to the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, urging them to raise Carer’s Allowance by £20 a week immediately, in line with the increase in Universal Credit.

Part 4b of the Motion

By 45 votes to 3 with 3 abstentions it was

                        RESOLVED to put out a general communication to unpaid carers, third sector organisations and community councils to encourage carers to claim Carers Allowance.

Part 4c of the Motion

By 49 votes to 2 with 1 abstention it was

RESOLVED to ensure that Powys County Council continues to do all it can to Stand up for Carers.

County Councillors J Berriman and P Lewis left the meeting.