‘Unpaid carers like me save government billions – for £2 an hour’

The Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA), which supports families across the UK, is calling on the government to increase the unpaid carers allowance.

Kielan Arblaster, from the MNDA, said the allowance “needs to reflect the true value of the care [carers] are giving”.

He said a “significant” number of carers work more than 100 hours a week.

The MNDA estimates carers looking after people with MND save health and social care services £185m a year.

A DWP spokesperson said on top of the £1,500 increase in carer’s allowance, there was “cost of living support, worth on average £3,800 per household, which remains in place to support those who are particularly struggling”.

The spokesperson added: “Our Green paper will also explore whether some people with specific health conditions or disabilities can be taken out of PIP assessments altogether.”