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Written question asked by Andrew Ranger (Labour) on Monday, 13 July 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 15 July 2026. It was answered by Stephen Timms (Labour) on Wednesday, 29 July 2026 on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

Carers: Zero Hours Contracts

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will assess the potential merits of introducing an annualised earnings assessment for recipients of Carer's Allowance employed on zero-hours and other irregular contracts to ensure that fluctuations in working hours and holiday pay do not result in the loss of Carer's Allowance and associated National Insurance credits for carers whose overall annual earnings remain below the equivalent annual earnings threshold.

Answer

The Government is committed to improving and modernising how earnings are treated in Carer's Allowance. It has increased the weekly earnings limit to match 16 hours at the National Living Wage, improved guidance, and is exploring longer-term changes to the benefit, including automation of earnings and the possibility of an earnings taper. A Call for Evidence to support this work was launched on 7 July 2026 and is open until 18 August 2026: Carer's Allowance: call for evidence - GOV.UK.

Where Carer's Allowance recipients undertake paid work, there is flexibility for Decision Makers to average earnings where these fluctuate in a regular pattern, using a period that best reflects the individual's working pattern.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
18200
Session
2026-27
Subjects
Carers Carer's allowance National insurance credits Zero hours contracts
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk