Carers allowance England Vs Scotland

[samtsirhc]

Every year around this time I start seeing things about the carers allowance Christmas bonus. It appears that in Scotland they get a £245, in England it's £10. Anyone know why? Do they get less somewhere else and this makes up for it? Or is it just a nice payment?

Can't deny I'm bloody jealous every year.

Because everything is free or more generous in Scotland. Free prescriptions , free student loans etc. It's very unfair.

Gosh lucky them. I honestly think if rather get no extra rather than a tenner "bonus". Very ungrateful off me.

You do realise people in Scotland pay more tax than in England, hence why some of these things are free!

The basic rate here is 21% as opposed to 20%.
And the higher rate of tax is 41% instead of 40% and kicks in at only £43k instead of £50k.

Apologies- intermediate rate is 21%.
Anyway, those earning more than the average wage pay more in tax.

Yes we pay less tax in England so get less back in public money. So it’s all fair really.

Increases in income tax are recent though.

www.deliveringforscotland.gov.uk/scotland-in-the-uk/public-spending/

I'd happily pay more tax than have my kids graduate with a huge debt.

In scotland we get the £10 also as that is paid by DWP to anyone on carers allowance. The £245 is a supplement paid twice a year until Social security scotland take over carers allowance for people in Scotland. They don’t believe current amount of carers allowance is enough to this is a temp fix to bring it up in line I’m sure with other benefits like jobseekers allowance.

You could save the extra you'd pay on tax so that you can pay for your kids student fees though

Yep, we also get a child winter hearing payment, it was £214 this year, for anyone with a child who get high rate care/mobility DLA or enhanced care/mobility PIP.

Also Scottish child payment for low income families with children under 6 which is £20 a week but is about to rise to £25 and opens to parents of 6 - 15 year olds on Monday