News & campaigns
Government scraps
planned changes to PIP
The Government has announced it will no longer be
going ahead with planned changes to the Personal
Independence Payment (PIP).
The changes would have reduced entitlement to
PIP, affecting many people with a disability. As PIP
is a ‘gateway’ benefit for carers to claim Carer’s
Allowance, it would also have had a disastrous knockon impact for many carers. The announcement was
made by Stephen Crabb MP, Secretary of State for
Work and Pensions, following the resignation of Iain
Duncan Smith who previously held the post.
We’re urging Government to carefully consider the
impact that any further changes to disability benefits
will have on the independence and wellbeing of
disabled people and on the carers supporting them.
To find out more about Personal Independence
Payments visit carersuk.org/pip.
Proudly supported by
Creative
writing
competition
2016
The Carers UK creative writing
competition 2016 is now open.
We’re welcoming poems and short
stories on all aspects of caring –
the joys, challenges and complex
emotions that come with looking
after a loved one.
The competition is free to enter
and open to UK residents. Entries
must be unpublished, in English,
and not a translation of another
author’s work.
You can enter:
Budget 2016:
our response
We’re disappointed that the Budget didn’t address
the level of financial support for carers or the chronic
underfunding of social care.
The Budget confirmed carers’ exemption from the
benefit cap and offered additional support with
savings. However, many carers will be disappointed
that there is little recognition of the vital work that
carers do, or investment in the support that many
carers need to keep caring.
Carers UK will continue to tell Government that we
must invest more in supporting carers, making sure
we’re all able to care for family and friends without
sacrificing our own wellbeing and financial security.
To read our on the day briefing on what Budget 2016
means for carers visit carersuk.org/budget.
16
• up to three poems, each no
longer than 40 lines
• one short story, of up to 1,000
words
The first prize is £150 in high street
vouchers. Deadline: 31 July 2016.
Submit your entries online at:
carersuk.org/creativewriting
Alternatively you can submit your
entries by post. Send a printed
copy of your entry along with a
covering letter that includes your
full name, address, phone number,
email address and the title/s of
your entry, to:
Creative writing competition,
Carers UK, 20 Great Dover Street,
London, SE1 4LX.
If you have any questions email
[email protected]
carersuk.org