INVALID CARE ALLOWANCE AND THE STATE PENSION

Motion Text

That this House welcomes the extension of the entitlement to Invalid Care Allowance to carers over 65; notes with concern, however, that the vast majority of carers over 65 cannot receive ICA because it is classed as an overlapping benefit with their state pensions; believes strongly that the state pension is not a benefit but an entitlement earned through national insurance contributions; asserts that the state pension is not a payment for caring; recognises that the job of caring does not end at 65 years; values the contribution of those over 65 years who continue to care and to save society a considerable amount of money; notes with great interest the Government's green paper on a more flexible age of retirement; and calls on the Government to reconsider the anomaly of ICA and the state pension.