West Ham MP Lyn Brown has backed a call for more help to be given to working carers who provide support to relatives and friends with long-term disabilities and illnesses.

USDAW, the Union of Shop, Distributed and Allied Workers has called on the government to increase the amount of money working carers receive as part of the Carers Allowance, which is paid to those who care for more than 35 hours a week. Currently, the Carers Allowance stands at just £53.90 a week and can only be claimed by those earning less than £97 a week. Those carers who earn even a penny more than this amount can have the Allowance withdrawn.

Under proposals put forward by USDAW, the Allowance would be extended to those earning up to £150 a week and the amount of tax carers would have to pay upon receiving the Allowance would be reduced. A move to increase the Carers Allowance to the same level as Job Seekers’ Allowance, or £65.45 a week has also been suggested. This would ease the pressure on working carers struggling to raise funds to look after their loved ones and help them avoid losing the benefits to which they are entitled.

Ms Brown said, “I strongly support the campaign to provide working carers with greater financial assistance. The amount some carers receive under the present system can often be as low as £1.54 an hour - a scandal in these tough economic times. They save the country a very large amount of money each year and should not be penalised for trying to do the right thing to help their friends and relatives.”

“In announcing his budget yesterday, George Osborne claimed the Coalition was would protect the most vulnerable in society. I urge the Government to deliver on their commitment by taking action now to give those who care for their family and friends the respect they deserve.”