Young carers in England and Wales are being blocked from staying in education and going to college or university by benefit rules that unfairly penalise them, according to a coalition of charities and education providers.
The group of more than 200 organisations and representatives is lobbying ministers to exempt young carers – those aged 16 to 24 who often look after relatives – from the rule that makes them ineligible for the government’s carer’s allowance if they study for more than 21 hours a week.
The rule means young carers cannot take a full course of A-levels, BTecs or T-levels like their peers, because it would require supervised study for more than the permitted 21 hours.
An estimated 37,000 young people in England and Wales provide more than 50 hours of care each week, most often to a family member. Few of them are able to go on to further study after leaving school.
Sarah, from Liverpool, was 14 when her mother was incapacitated with multiple sclerosis, leaving her to look after younger sister as well. The pressure and lack of support led to Sarah dropping out of school at 16, unable to take her GCSEs. Now 21, Sarah wants to get back into education and hopes to become a nurse, but her mother still requires care.
“Things have settled down a bit at home but I feel like I’ve missed my chance. I’d like to get qualifications and a job but we can’t afford to lose my benefits,” Sarah said.
Andy McGowan, the policy manager at the Carers Trust, said: “Student carers already face huge challenges balancing education with their caring role. At a time of soaring living costs and increasing pressure on their young shoulders, we should be removing barriers to education for carers, not putting up more.
“It makes no sense for the 21-hour rule to remain in place, drastically limiting the aspiration of thousands of young adult carers and making them choose between learning and caring.”
The carer’s allowance is worth £76.75 a week for those over the age of 16 who care for someone on benefits for at least 35 hours a week, and who earn less than £139 a week. But those in full-time education, studying more than 21 hours a week, are ineligible.
The group lobbying for the change includes Barnardo’s and the Children’s Society, as well as local authorities, housing associations, colleges and universities, alongside the Learning & Work Institute and the Carers Trust.
Young carers representing the group delivered a letter to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) in Whitehall last week, urging Mel Stride, the secretary of state for work and pensions, to exempt them from the rule.
A government spokesperson said: “We recognise the importance of carers, who play a vital role in our communities, and we are committed to ensuring young carers who care for siblings or parents are supported in education.
“Young carers in full-time education can access a range of loans and grants through the education maintenance system, while the carer’s allowance can support those unable to study full time.”
The group estimates it would cost the government £85m a year to exempt carers in England and Wales aged 16 to 24, or £31m to exempt just those aged 16 to 18. The Scottish government has recently moved to exempt young carers from later this year.
Nicola Aylward, of the Learning and Work Institute, said: “Young adult carers are often fiercely protective of the people they care for and proud of the work they do, but they should not have to give up their right to an education because of the circumstances they find themselves in.”
