MSP Gillian Martin welcomes payment for carers in the north-east
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Aberdeenshire East MSP Gillian Martin has welcomed figures which show more than 2,000 carers have been supported in the north-east after additional double payment from the Scottish Government.
A total of 2,255 carers in Aberdeenshire have received the Carer’s Allowance Supplement payments.
The payments – which are unique to the UK – were first introduced in September 2018.
The Carer's Allowance Supplement is an extra payment introduced by the Scottish Government for people in Aberdeenshire, and across Scotland, who get Carer's Allowance.
Awarding a double payment was a decision taken by the Scottish Government to recognise the extra burden the pandemic has placed on carers.
The additional payment meant that carers in Aberdeenshire received up to £462.80 in December 2021.
This is second time a double payment has been made with the first being in summer 2020.
Commenting, Gillian Martin MSP said: “Carers have undoubtably been particularly hard hit throughout the pandemic so I’m glad the Scottish Government choose to address this by introducing an additional Coronavirus Carer’s Allowance Supplement payment which helped support 2,255 carers in Aberdeenshire.
“The Scottish Government’s commitment to help improve the lives of carers is an incredibly important one.
"Carers make an immense contribution to the health and wellbeing of loved ones and it is essential that they have the support they need to provide care and have a fulfilling life.
“The Carer’s Allowance Supplement was the first payment the Scottish Government introduced when establishing Scotland’s new social security system in 2018.
"In total, £188million has been paid to carers since its launch and it is making a huge difference to carers in Aberdeenshire.
“We are using the powers we have in Scotland to build a social security system in Scotland centred on the principles of dignity, fairness and respect but that is set against a cruel system at Westminster which is cutting support at a time when those on the lowest incomes need it most.
“That is why the people of Scotland must have the choice to choose a different path which gives Scotland full powers over social security, so we can provide for those that need it most.”
