Sandra Gidley Welcomes Pensions Success for Carers

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 27th Apr 2007

Sandra Gidley MP for Romsey has welcomed a government decision to accept a Liberal Democrat amendment to the Pensions Bill, which is currently going through Parliament. The effect of the Government's decision will be to ensure that 40,000 more carers receive the basic state pension. It is estimated that in Romsey this will benefit over 60 carers.

Sandra said:

"Carers provide an unquantifiable service to the country, they work long hours and receive very little money or thanks for their effort and I am so glad to see that they will finally being recognised for their hard work

"I am delighted that the Government has conceded that their pension policy prevents many carers from building an entitlement to the basic state pension and that they will take steps to put this right.

"Carers make a huge contribution to our society. They provide a service which eases the strain on our hard pushed social services and this must be recognised when they come to retire by the granting of a full pension.

"I am pleased that the Liberal Democrats, working with groups including Carers UK, the Equal Opportunities Commission, Age Concern and Help the Aged, as well as MPs from other parties, have been able to achieve this valuable improvement to our pension system."

Carers and the work they do are often overlooked by the Government. At long last the Government has recognised the hard work they do and the money they save the country, however more still needs to be done

ENDS

Notes to Editors

New Clause 28 of the Bill

"23B Contributions credits for relevant parents and carers: supplementary provisions

The Secretary of State must, not later than 31st December 2007, make regulations providing for the certification by health and social care professionals of persons who-

(a) are engaged in caring for another person or persons for a minimum of 20 hours a week, and

(b) are not otherwise recognised by regulations under section 23A."

Amendment 15

Page 3, line 33 [Clause 3], at end insert-

'(d) is in receipt of a certificate under section 23B.'.

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These two Liberal Democrat Amendments introduce a new Carers Credit for those caring for 20 hours or more a week, for someone who is severely disabled. This should mean that thousands more carers are eligible for a full Basic State Pension and the State Second Pension.