The UK Government has announced an independent review into Carer’s Allowance overpayments, acknowledging the difficulties faced by carers who have unknowingly accrued large debts. The review will be led by Liz Sayce OBE, former Chief Executive of Disability Rights UK, as part of the Government’s commitment to supporting carers and reforming the system.
The review, which was announced today by Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall MP, will investigate the causes behind overpayments, focusing on how they accumulated and what operational changes can be implemented to prevent similar issues in the future. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) aims to improve its support for carers who have found themselves burdened with overpayments, often through no fault of their own.
Liz Kendall, a long-standing advocate for carers, acknowledged the struggles that many face. “I have been a lifelong champion of family carers and know many have been pushed to breaking point looking after the people they love. This is not okay. We’re determined to learn lessons and put this right,” she said.
Kendall added that Liz Sayce’s leadership of the review will bring invaluable expertise to the process, highlighting Sayce’s experience in disability rights. “It’s brilliant that Liz Sayce has agreed to lead this with all the experience she brings,” Kendall remarked.
Liz Sayce, who now serves as a visiting professor at the London School of Economics, expressed her commitment to the task ahead. “I’m delighted to be leading this important review which will make a difference to carers who offer such tremendous support to their loved ones every day,” she said. “My work aims to get to the bottom of how overpayments have occurred and how to prevent people who devote such time and care to others facing these difficulties in future.”
The review comes after growing concerns over carers being hit with unexpected and large overpayment demands. Some of the overpayments resulted from carers exceeding the earnings limit by small amounts. The issue has prompted the Government to take action to better understand how these situations arise and to find a solution that works for those who dedicate themselves to caring for others.
Sir Stephen Timms MP, Minister for Social Security and Disability, also emphasised the Government’s commitment to helping carers. “Carers, whom we owe so much for the hard work they do, deserve to be supported, not punished. We need to get to the bottom of what has been going wrong, and to put it right. This review will shed some light on why overpayments have occurred and is evidence of this government’s commitment to make positive change and support all those who care.”
As part of wider efforts, the Government is working on long-term reforms to the social care system. These include the establishment of a sustainable National Care Service to improve support for both carers and those they care for. The Government plans to work closely with unpaid carers, sector partners, and relevant organisations to achieve this goal.
The full terms of reference for the review will be published in the coming weeks, with the Government hoping to address the underlying issues swiftly to ensure carers are properly supported going forward.
