Committee Welcomes Planned Increase in Support for Carers

The Northern Ireland Assembly Committee for Finance and Personnel has welcomed a commitment by the Finance Minister to provide some additional rate relief for carers by increasing the Carers Premium under the existing low income rate relief scheme.

Committee Chairperson, Jennifer McCann, MLA said: “The Committee has been working with the Department of Finance and Personnel over recent months to determine how to give carers additional financial support. The Committee had asked the Minister to consider a number of options for providing support through rate reliefs, and is pleased with his decision to increase the carer premium element of the low income rate relief scheme.

"The Committee recognises the significant and valuable contribution that carers make to society, which is estimated to save the public purse hundreds of millions of pounds annually. While the relief provided by this change may be modest, it is nonetheless welcomed by Committee members as a step in the right direction. We would urge the Minister to bring forward the necessary legislation to implement this as quickly as possible, to ensure that this additional support is available to those who need and deserve it.”