Campaigners are urging Andy Burnham to intervene as it has been revealed that only a small fraction of unpaid carers have received repayments from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). This follows unlawful changes to benefits guidance that left many carers with significant debts.
Slow Progress in Repayment
The first official update on the carers allowance reassessment exercise, launched in April with a budget of £75 million over three years, indicates that progress has been sluggish. In the first five months, only 2,400 cases (or 1.04%) of an estimated 230,900 have been reviewed. Out of these, just 100 carers have received a total of £40,000, averaging £342 per individual.
Campaigners have expressed their disappointment, stating that at the current rate, it could take around 40 years to complete the reassessment. Helen Walker, chief executive of Carers UK, remarked:
“"After years of waiting for justice, only a small number of carers have had their cases reviewed five months into this exercise. The vast majority still face a lengthy and uncertain wait for resolution, all whilst enduring the ongoing financial hardship caused by these delays."
Calls for Action
Walker emphasized the need for a clear and realistic plan to expedite the process, questioning whether the DWP can meet its timeline given the backlog of cases. Sir Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, also criticized the slow progress, stating:
