Page 6 | Why is it fair that Scottish carers get more carers allowance than English carers?

KindleAndCake · 2025-06-18T09:09:55+00:00

With the carers supplement they get twice a year, it boils down to just over £11 a week more than English carers. They're all doing the same old slog, so why is it fair. I am caring for 2 people, it is hard going. I only get carers for 1 though as that is how the system works. Ive just found out that Scottish carers get a supplement twice a year, lucky ducks. Well sort of, better than nowt. So my question is, why? I thought we were one nation. Am I being unreasonable here.

LadyMacbethssweetArabianhand · 18/06/2025 12:20

In Scotland, water isn't free but included in the annual bill from local authority when working out council tax. It's still a better system than meters and privately owned water companies.
Devolution is your answer, OP, as many have said.

IDontHateRainbows · 18/06/2025 12:05

Why is it fair that we have a welfare state and many third world countries do not?

SusanChurchouse · 18/06/2025 12:04

NoSoapJustUseShowerGel · 18/06/2025 11:07

“The lack of knowledge about this across the rest of the UK is odd.”

I’m English, I know about the Scottish devolved government and that they have some different policies, taxes, university fees etc. But it’s 8% of the UK population, I don’t live there and it doesn’t affect me. Why do you expect me to know the details?

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No, I don’t expect people to know the full details of the devolution settlement but after over 25 years I’d hope the answer to ‘why is it different in Scotland?’ would be obvious.

Laura36TTC · 18/06/2025 11:29

The Scottish basic tax rate is higher

Parents in Scotland do not get free nursery hours until their child is 3 compared to 9 months in England. This is working out as £12,500 for me for me to pay than if I lived in England (my child only goes to nursery 2 days a week)

Not saying any of this is ok, I’m just highlighting there are a lot of discrepancies between Scotland and England (unsure of NI and Wales)

PhilippaGeorgiou · 18/06/2025 11:25

Computersaysdontwantto · 18/06/2025 10:59

Do you think Carers allowance should be at minimum wage? Because that would bankrupt the country instantly.

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So would carers saying they won't do it and leaving the state to pick up the mess. What is your solution?

Toastandbutterand · 18/06/2025 11:22

Computersaysdontwantto · 18/06/2025 10:59

Do you think Carers allowance should be at minimum wage? Because that would bankrupt the country instantly.

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Then we should pay more taxes.

If someone is doing a job they should be paid for it fairly. If that involves someone that getting paid more than average, having to pay more taxes, so be it.

Otherwise you are reducing society to serfs and masters.

MrsSkylerWhite · 18/06/2025 11:19

You’re asking the wrong question. You ought to be asking why does the English government not pay a more reasonable carers allowance?
(Though the amount in Scotland is still insufficient.)

Sofiewoo · 18/06/2025 11:19

NoSoapJustUseShowerGel · 18/06/2025 11:17

I DO know that they do various things differently because of devolution. I don’t know the details, because I have no need to, just as I don’t need to know how things work in France.

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Literally no one said you need to but you were arguing with someone who found the “I thought we were one nation” comment ridiculous.

GuevarasBeret · 18/06/2025 11:18

It’s called democracy, political parties made manifesto promises and the electorate voted for it.

NoSoapJustUseShowerGel · 18/06/2025 11:17

Sofiewoo · 18/06/2025 11:14

I would expect you to know why policy is different- because you’re in a different country.
England making up the majority of the population of the UK is really no excuse for English centric ignorance where you literally think every country is the same as England.
PP are right, it’s like wondering why policy is different in France.

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I DO know that they do various things differently because of devolution. I don’t know the details, because I have no need to, just as I don’t need to know how things work in France.

Chemenger · 18/06/2025 11:16

Do you think it’s fair that Scottish people pay more income tax, OP?

Sofiewoo · 18/06/2025 11:14

NoSoapJustUseShowerGel · 18/06/2025 11:07

“The lack of knowledge about this across the rest of the UK is odd.”

I’m English, I know about the Scottish devolved government and that they have some different policies, taxes, university fees etc. But it’s 8% of the UK population, I don’t live there and it doesn’t affect me. Why do you expect me to know the details?

Show quote history

I would expect you to know why policy is different- because you’re in a different country.
England making up the majority of the population of the UK is really no excuse for English centric ignorance where you literally think every country is the same as England.
PP are right, it’s like wondering why policy is different in France.

PlumpAndCircumstance · 18/06/2025 11:13

Devolution allows for this - and as a Scot I pay more income tax, which covers things like this.

HeadNorth · 18/06/2025 11:09

I pay more tax than people in England - presumably this is one of the things the Scottish Government chooses to spend it on.

NoSoapJustUseShowerGel · 18/06/2025 11:07

SusanChurchouse · 18/06/2025 10:16

Devolution. It allows for different policy and financial decisions to be taken in Scotland by our own government. We have a different NHS, Education and Justice system (among other things) too. The lack of knowledge about this across the rest of the UK is odd.

“The lack of knowledge about this across the rest of the UK is odd.”

I’m English, I know about the Scottish devolved government and that they have some different policies, taxes, university fees etc. But it’s 8% of the UK population, I don’t live there and it doesn’t affect me. Why do you expect me to know the details?

MrsBennetsPoorNerves · 18/06/2025 11:05

Surely you're aware that some decisions are devolved, OP? This is just one of those decisions.

MrsAvocet · 18/06/2025 11:03

Presumably for the same reason as prescriptions are free in Scotland and Scottish students don't pay tuition fees - it's one of the things the Scottish government has control over and that's how it chooses to spend its money.

Hoooray · 18/06/2025 11:03

Scotland also gets free prescriptions, free university tuition, baby boxes and free water. Some of us do pay higher income tax, though. Devolution means that there are some significant differences between how England and Scotland are run.

YANBU to feel your carers' allowance is inadequate. It is, and should be higher.

TakeMe2Insanity · 18/06/2025 11:02

I think you need a new thread title:

How can we improve English carers allowance to be on par with the Scots or better theirs.

It will come down to politics.

Sofiewoo · 18/06/2025 11:02

So my question is, why? I thought we were one nation.

Sometimes it’s astounding that anyone can vote. 🤦‍♀️

summerscomingsoon · 18/06/2025 11:01

Same with the Scottish child payment. £100 per month per child under 16 for each child if in receipt of UC. I don't think there is an equivalent in England.

Sofiewoo · 18/06/2025 11:01

It’s fair because Scotland is a different country with devolved powers and its own taxation system. Very simple.

Computersaysdontwantto · 18/06/2025 10:59

Agix · 18/06/2025 10:49

Understand what you're saying, but it totally misses the real issue - carers allowance in both places is woefully inadequate. It's actually disgusting as little it pays for what being a 35 hour a week carer actually involves.

And it's considered an income replacement benefit, meaning you cant get it at the same time as other income replacement benefit, and it's taken off of Universal Credit as "unewrned income". Unearned. Income replacement. It's neither of those things!!

Makes me so mad.

Do you think Carers allowance should be at minimum wage? Because that would bankrupt the country instantly.

Butchyrestingface · 18/06/2025 10:57

why? I thought we were one nation.

Well, there’s your first mistake.

Do you get mad about what carers in Australia or the US receive?

Agix · 18/06/2025 10:49

Understand what you're saying, but it totally misses the real issue - carers allowance in both places is woefully inadequate. It's actually disgusting as little it pays for what being a 35 hour a week carer actually involves.

And it's considered an income replacement benefit, meaning you cant get it at the same time as other income replacement benefit, and it's taken off of Universal Credit as "unewrned income". Unearned. Income replacement. It's neither of those things!!

Makes me so mad.