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Carers

Something like that. I was especially delighted that my hon. Friend the Member for Northampton, North (Ms Keeble) highlighted the importance of the carer’s element in pension credit. She rightly said that it is a bit of an unsung, positive response by the Government to income maintenance for those at state retirement age when they lose out on their carer’s allowance. Let me point out to the hon. Member for Rugby and Kenilworth (Jeremy Wright) that one problem that we addressed with regard to older carers was lifting the age embargo that existed throughout the Conservative Government’s tenure and which meant that people at state retirement age were no longer entitled even to apply for carer’s allowance. We lifted that embargo and said that age was no disadvantage to applying for carer’s allowance, and when it could not be paid because of the double entitlement rule, we introduced the carer’s premium, which my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary highlighted. I appreciate that I may not have much longer to stand at the Dispatch Box, since I see the right hon. Member for West Derbyshire (Mr. McLoughlin) from the Opposition Whips Office in his place. I regret that the debate has been so short, but I hope we have demonstrated that we are committed to recognising the efforts of carers and building on their support. I look forward to further discussions with colleagues across the House to see how we can make matters even better. Question put, That the original words stand part of the Question:— The House divided: Ayes 198, Noes 291.