Health and Social Care
Jobs
Tax and Welfare
Continue paying the Carer’s Allowance Supplement until Carer’s Assistance is introduced
Last updated 3 years ago
SNP Manifesto 2021, p.49Until Carers Assistance is introduced, we will continue to pay the Carers Allowance Supplement to ensure carers receive an income that is equivalent to Job seekers Allowance…
Our verdict
Background
The Carer’s Allowance Supplement is an extra payment made twice annually to Scots in receipt of the UK Government’s weekly Carer’s Allowance benefit. The SNP pledged to maintain the additional payment until such a time as the Carer’s Allowance is replaced with a new benefit called Carer’s Assistance.
Status
This promise is in progress. The Scottish Government continues to pay the Carer’s Allowance Supplement. In October 2021, the Scottish Parliament unanimously passed legislation guaranteeing a second double payment of this supplementary benefit in December 2021.
Carer’s Allowance Supplement (Scotland) Bill (introduced 22nd June 2021, passed 7th October 2021)
“Carer’s Allowance Supplement Bill passed” (Scottish Government, 7th October 2021)
Other pledges
The SNP promised to replace the Carer’s Allowance with a new benefit called Scottish Carer’s Assistance. They also pledged to make a double payment of the December 2021 Carer’s Allowance Supplement.