Liberal Democrats have secured improvements to the way disabled people will be assessed for the new Personal Independence Payment (PIP) announced today by the Coalition Government.
The number of unpaid carers in England and Wales has reached 5.8 million - a rise of 600,000 since 2001, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has said. Figures from 2011 show that the largest increase was in unpaid carers working for 50 or more hours a week. Wales had a higher percentage of people providing unpaid care compared with any English region. In England, the highest percentages of unpaid carers were in the North West, North East and West Midlands. The ONS study into unpaid care in England and Wales, 2011 found that more than 12% of the population in Wales provided some level of care in 2011. The rise in those providing over 50 hours a week of unpaid care means that across England and Wales there are now 1.4 million people providing round-the-clock care - an increase of 270,000 people since 2001 (25%). Across local authorities in England and Wales, the number of carers increased in 320 authorities and fell in just six. In Birmingham, the number of unpaid carers increased by more than 9,000 betwee
Thousands of carers in England, Wales and Scotland are set to lose benefits when new disability-claim rules start. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) says 5,000 carers currently eligible for a £58.45 a week allowance will no longer be when personal independence payments replace the disability living allowance this April. It says the changes are necessary and 20,000 additional carers should gain. Charity Carers UK says this is "cold comfort" to those who will miss out.
This afternoon the Department of Work and Pensions announces a significant change on the new Personal Independent Payments following significant Lib Dem pressure. Celia Thomas, the Lib Dem peer who has campaigned tirelessly on the issue, explains why it's a major win.
Campaigners representing tens of thousands of people with multiple sclerosis (MS) are to lobby the government over welfare changes they claim will restrict help for people with fluctuating conditions.
The Government is in the process of making the biggest changes to the benefits system for decades. This is bringing a great deal of uncertainty and fear for families affected by illness and disability who depend on benefits for their everyday living costs.