Closed petition Create benefit for full-time carers of disabled children paying £332.50 a week
Some parents are unable to work as they need to provide full-time care to their child, through the day or the night or for both. We want the Government to introduce a benefit for parents who are full-time carers of their disabled children, set at £332.50 a week (35 x minimum wage of £9.50 an hour).
More details
There is not enough support to help with the loss of income for parents that are unable to work and need to provide full-time care. The child’s DLA does not to replace an income, it is to ‘help with extra costs of looking after a child’ with disabilities. The Carer's Allowance benefit equates to £1.99 an hour for 35 hours a week, and is ‘a benefit that provides some financial recognition that a carer may not be able to work full-time’. Many parents who are full-time carers to disabled children will not be eligible for Universal Credit.
Many nurseries and schools are not trained or equipped to cater for all disabilities, and the Government should support all parents who need to be full-time carers for their disabled children.
This petition is closed All petitions run for 6 months
Related activity
Share your experiences for a debate: “UN International Day of Persons with Disabilities”
On Thursday 24 November, Marsha de Cordova MP will lead a debate in Parliament on the UN International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
To inform the debate, she wants to hear about your experiences and ideas relating to the topic. She may quote your contribution directly in the House of Commons Chamber.
Find out more and share your thoughts with her by midday on Wednesday 23 November: UN International Day of Persons with Disabilities
Videos of the debate, the transcript of what was said in it, and other relevant material will be accessible shortly after the debate on this webpage.
What are backbench business debates?
Backbench business debates give backbenchers (MPs who aren’t ministers or shadow ministers) an opportunity to secure a debate on a topic of their choice, either in the main House of Commons Chamber or Westminster Hall, the second chamber of the House of Commons.
MPs can make a request for a debate to the Backbench Business Committee, which hears requests and decides which debates to schedule.
Backbench debates can either be general debates (which do not end in a vote) or be on a substantive motion (which calls for an action and can end in a vote). This debate will be a general debate.
Get involved in the work of the UK Parliament
You can also sign up to the UK Parliament newsletter for the latest information on how to get involved and make a difference.
Share your views on the cost of living and financial support for disabled people
The MPs on the Petitions Committee have scheduled a debate on two petitions about the cost of living and financial support for disabled people:
- Make people on disability benefits eligible for the £650 one off payment
- Provide an energy grant to people with a disability or serious medical condition
Marsha De Cordova MP, a member of the Petitions Committee, has been asked to open the debate, which will take place on Monday 22 May.
Share your views
To inform the debate, we would like to hear from you about your experiences of and views on the cost of living and financial support for disabled people and people with a long-term health condition.
You can share your views with us by completing this survey
The survey is also available in the following formats:
The survey will close on 31 March.
A summary of responses will be published on the Parliament website. It will also be shared with MPs and may be referred to in the debate or within other parliamentary documents. Please don't share anything that may identify you.
Watch the debate
The debate will take place on Monday 22 May at 4.30pm.
- Watch the debate (from 4.30pm on Monday 22 May)
- Read a transcript of the debate (available a few hours after the debate happens)
A British Sign Language translation of the debate will also be made available on Parliament Live TV.
What are petition debates?
Petition debates are ‘general’ debates which allow MPs from all parties to discuss the important issues raised by one or more petitions, and put their concerns to Government Ministers.
Petition debates don’t end with a vote to implement the request of a petition. This means that MPs will not vote on financial support for disabled people at the end of the debate.
Get involved in the work of the UK Parliament
Sign up to the Your UK Parliament newsletter for the latest information on how to get involved and make a difference.
Share your experiences for a debate on National Carers Week and respite for carers
On Thursday 8 June, Dame Caroline Dinenage MP will lead a debate in Parliament entitled ‘National Carers Week and respite for carers’.
To inform the debate, she would like to hear about your experiences of providing unpaid care, and insights on support for carers. She may quote your contribution directly during her debate.
Find out more and share your experiences with her by midday on Wednesday 7 June:
Videos of the debate, the transcript of what was said, and other relevant material will be accessible from 8 June on this webpage.
What are backbench business debates?
Backbench business debates give backbenchers (MPs who aren’t ministers or shadow ministers) an opportunity to secure a debate on a topic of their choice, either in the main House of Commons Chamber or Westminster Hall, the second chamber of the House of Commons.
MPs can make a request for a debate to the Backbench Business Committee, who hears requests and decides which debates to schedule.
Backbench debates can either be general debates (which do not end in a vote) or be on a substantive motion (which calls for an action and can end in a vote). This will be a general debate.