Caring for a loved one full-time is one of the most selfless acts anyone can do. Yet in the UK, the current Carer’s Allowance of just £83.30 per week falls drastically short of recognizing the true value of this work. With full-time care often requiring long hours, personal sacrifices, and emotional endurance, many are calling for a significant increase in this allowance — up to £800 per week. Let’s break down why this change is long overdue.
What Full-Time Carers Receive Now
The current Carer’s Allowance in the UK is £83.30 per week. To qualify, a person must care for someone at least 35 hours a week, which breaks down to around £2.38 per hour — well below the national minimum wage.
Moreover, this benefit is taxable and can impact other benefits the carer or the person receiving care might get. For many, this creates a difficult financial situation, especially when full-time caring leaves little to no opportunity for other paid employment.
| Requirement | Current Rate |
|---|---|
| Hours of care per week | 35+ hours |
| Weekly allowance (2025) | £83.30 |
| Approx. hourly rate | £2.38 |
| Taxable | Yes |
| Affects other benefits | Yes |
The Real Cost of Professional Care
When comparing the Carer’s Allowance to the cost of hiring professional care, the gap becomes even more glaring. Private home care agencies can charge £1,000 or more per week for 24/7 care. That’s over 12 times the amount paid to a family carer.
Professional caregivers are certainly valuable, but many family carers provide the same — if not better — level of attention and emotional care, without a break and often without external support. The financial disparity is not only unfair, but it also underestimates the critical role family carers play in the healthcare system.
Why an £800 Weekly Allowance Makes Sense
Raising the Carer’s Allowance to £800 per week would still be less than what the government would spend on professional care services for each individual. This change would:
- Provide carers with financial stability and dignity
- Acknowledge the essential role they play in the care system
- Reduce burnout and mental health strain from financial pressures
- Encourage more people to consider caregiving as a viable responsibility
Carers save the government millions every year by reducing the need for institutional or professional care services. In many ways, this proposed increase isn’t charity — it’s an investment in a more sustainable care system.
The Emotional and Economic Impact of Caregiving
Full-time carers often give up their careers, social lives, and personal time. They take on physical, emotional, and financial burdens. Many suffer from anxiety, depression, and social isolation — and all without the compensation or recognition they truly deserve.
A proper allowance would not only reduce their financial stress but also serve as a formal acknowledgment of their contribution. It would be a sign that society values care, compassion, and community.
A Step Toward a More Compassionate Society
Supporting carers properly means building a more humane and equitable society. If we continue to undervalue care, we risk deepening social inequality and weakening the support network for vulnerable individuals.
Raising the allowance to £800 per week sends a clear message: Carers matter. Their work matters. And we are willing to back that with real support.
It’s time we stop treating carers like an afterthought. They are doing vital work, and they deserve to be paid — not just with words, but with fair compensation.
FAQs
Is the current Carer’s Allowance enough to live on?
No. At £83.30 per week, it’s well below the cost of living and does not reflect the hours or intensity of care provided.
Who qualifies for Carer’s Allowance in the UK?
You must care for someone at least 35 hours a week, and the person must be receiving certain benefits like PIP or Attendance Allowance. Income and work limitations also apply.
How does this affect other benefits?
Currently, receiving Carer’s Allowance can reduce or eliminate eligibility for other income-related benefits.