The Guardian has uncovered a scandalous situation where unpaid carers are being prosecuted and hounded by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) for unwittingly breaching earnings rules by just a few pounds a week. This has led to carers being plunged into debt, given criminal records, and forced to sell their homes.
The pressure on the government to address this issue has been mounting, with three former work and pension secretaries and Labour demanding an immediate inquiry into the prosecution of unpaid carers. Former Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith, and Labour’s Alan Johnson and David Blunkett have joined the chorus of anger, calling for urgent action to stop the persecution of carers.
Caroline Dinenage, the chair of the carers all-party parliamentary group, emphasized the need for the government’s attention to the issue, especially in cases where the DWP fails to inform individuals promptly of overpayments. Alison McGovern, the acting shadow work and pensions secretary, demanded an urgent investigation into why the DWP has failed to stop overpayments and outlined steps to rectify the situation.
MPs are planning to question welfare minister Mims Davies on the issue of carer’s allowance overpayments, with concerns raised about the DWP’s actions. Conservative MP Nigel Mills stated that carers should not face penalties when the blame lies with the DWP for failing to stop overpayments.
Despite promises to tackle the issue of overpayments, the DWP is still failing to spot infringements earlier, leading to carers being forced to repay large sums and having their assets seized. The DWP’s approach has been described as vindictive, with calls for better support for carers.
The DWP defended its actions, stating that carer’s allowance has increased since 2010 and emphasizing the need for claimants to inform the DWP of any changes in their circumstances. However, the call for fairness in the welfare system and the protection of the public purse remains a key concern in this ongoing scandal.