We are deeply concerned about the devastating impact the Government’s welfare reforms could have on unpaid carers and their families. That’s why we need your support for our #ProtectCarersBenefits campaign.
Please sign our open letter to the Prime Minister today and join us in calling on the Government to immediately reconsider their proposals and instead implement measures which reduce, rather than exacerbate, the poverty that carers face.
You can add your name here: https://go.carersuk.org/PM_letter
The plans to tighten eligibility for Personal Independence Payment (PIP) will see 150,000 unpaid carers lose their benefits’ entitlements by the end of the decade, as PIP is a key ‘gateway’ benefit for many claiming Carer’s Allowance. Families who no longer receive both benefits face losing more than £8,000 a year from November 2026. These changes will result in a £500 million cut in the financial support provided to carers by 2029/30 – the biggest cut to entitlement since the benefit was introduced in 1976.
In recent weeks, hundreds of carers have told us they are extremely worried about what these proposals will mean for them and their families. Many carers already struggle with financial hardship – 1.2 million carers live in poverty, including 400,000 in deep poverty. If these cuts go ahead, even more will be pushed into crisis – struggling to afford food, heating, and other essentials.
We will take every opportunity to raise carers’ voices with Ministers and MPs in the coming weeks, and we’ll share more ways you can get involved in the campaign soon. But we need your support now to make sure carers are heard.
It is important to note that the proposed changes to PIP are expected to come into place from November 2026 and will impact new PIP claimants and those who undergo reassessment for PIP.
If you have any questions about the Governments proposals, please read our campaign page for more details. This includes details about how the proposed changes will impact carers across different nations of the UK.