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Voluntary Sector North West
St. Thomas Centre

Ardwick Green North
Manchester
M12 6FZ
Tel: 0161 276 9300
Fax: 0161 276 9301
Email: info@vsnw.org.uk

Support for carers "too complex"

14 September 2009

Britain's six million unpaid carers who look after relatives or dependents are missing out on crucial benefits because of overly complex rules, MPs have concluded.

A report by the Commons public accounts committee revealed that carers claim only £2bn in benefits, while their work saves the Treasury an estimated £23bn a year in health bills.

A fifth of carers who receive benefits say they find the process of claiming difficult, the report said. There are currently around six million unpaid carers in the UK, looking after sick or disabled family and friends. Their only form of support comes from the Department for Work and Pensions through the carers' benefit scheme and through employment support.

But the committee criticised the department for making carers "jump through hoops" to apply for benefits and allowances. MPs stated that the benefits system for carers was "unnecessarily complex" and confusing.

The report called on the government to make it easier for carers to be referred to the correct services for their benefits at a local level.

Read more on epolitix.com

15 September 2010

North West Community Empowerment Practitioners' Forum

Networking event for community empowerment practitioners and community development workers in the North West

25 August 2010

Influencing the Spending Review - update

Latest updates for the departmental structural reform plans available

24 August 2010

Future North West consultation now open

Future North West: Our shared prioritiesA document outlining the agreed strategic priorities of the North West based on the Regional Strategy consultation work over the last two years is now open for consultation until 8 October 2010.

23 August 2010

VSNW's response to Lottery Shares Consultation

National consultation on the Big Lottery FundThe Department for Culture, Media and Sport have proposed a potential £750m reduction in Big Lottery Funding to VCS groups over the next five years

Events & Trainings

VSNW’s list of events & training opportunities for VCS groups in the North West

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