Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson today backs an increase in support for carers when new welfare powers are devolved to Holyrood.
In her speech to the Conservative party conference in Manchester, she announced her support for an increase in the Carer's Allowance – one of the new benefits which will soon be the responsibility of the Scottish Parliament. The allowance currently is below the level of Jobseeker's Allowance. Ruth today says that the Scottish Conservative Party will call for the allowance to be at least the same amount.
Increasing the allowance in this way would amount to a £600 a year increase in support for carers. In her speech, Ruth also set out the key Scottish Conservative messages ahead of next year's Holyrood elections.
She pledges to speak up for the majority of Scots who want to keep Scotland as part of the United Kingdom. She also sets out her plan to ensure the Scottish Conservatives sit firmly in the centre-ground of Scottish politics.
Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson said:
"With £2.5bn worth of welfare payments transferring to Holyrood, that task - to find better ways to support those in need - is the task that the Scottish Parliament should set itself.
"The welfare system is there to support people back into a job and if you can work you should. But it is also there to help those who can't. And there are many reasons why people can't enter the labour market.
"Take carers. Across Scotland, husbands, wives, partners and parents are looking after a loved one on a full-time basis. That alone makes them unsung heroes. But they are also saving the taxpayer billions of pounds by ensuring that someone who needs help can get it at home.
"It has therefore always struck me as an anomaly that these carers receive less money per week than if they were on Jobseeker's Allowance. Why should someone who is doing so much for a family loved one, and so much for society at large, be treated any less than someone looking for a job?
"Carers allowance is coming to the Scottish parliament with the new Smith powers. So I can announce today that, at the Holyrood elections, we will include a commitment to raise carers allowance so that, in Scotland, it is never less than that received by jobseekers. This is a measure currently worth an extra £600 a year.
"Nobody becomes a full-time carer because of money – they do it out of love – but as well as our recognition and our thanks, they deserve a little extra help and I want to make sure they get it.”