Published on 03/03/2009

You'll remember that over 2000 petition postcards were hand delivered to Downing Street in December, calling on the government to reform the Carers Allowance system.

Well, we've had a response and as I write are in the process of following it up. The petition was given to Jonathon Shaw, Minister for Disabled People, who wrote explaining how carers Allowance works and it's intended purpose. However, we know that already! The petition was asking for changes to how it works, which we will pursue.

We are drawing up a comprehensive response and will be wanting to know if the 2000 signatories will also be getting a definitive reply as requested on the postcard and will keep you informed of progress.

The letter ended with the following statement:

"We recognise that the current system of carer's benefits is not flexible enough to meet the wide range of needs that carers have. Accordingly, we intend to consider carers' benefits within the context of the longer-term reform of the benefit system. We aim to create a system of carer's benefits that provides effective help where it is most required and that it is flexible enough to meet a wide variety of needs."

Jam Tomorrow?