Chancellor Alistair Darling has announced a one-off winter bonus payment of £60 for all carers who are entitled to benefits such as Carer's Allowance.

This payment will be in addition to the usual £10 Christmas bonus that is given every year.

A parent carer and development worker for Parent Carers' Voice, said: ‘Anything that helps carers and families is very welcome.’

‘Anything for families that can give finances a boost is great, especially at this time with rising fuel costs, Christmas and everything else.’

He adds: ‘Christmas is difficult for families, especially on low incomes, as their finances tend to be stretched during the winter.’

The chief executive of national campaigning charity Carers UK also welcomed the news. But said that a permanent improvement to finances was needed and she would continue to fight for this.

She said: ‘We welcome the announcement in the Pre-Budget Report that carers will receive an additional £60 payment in the New Year.’

‘This will go some way towards meeting the additional costs that carers face with high food and fuel bills this winter.’

‘The total cost of this payment is around £55m and over 900,000 carers across the UK will benefit.’

She adds: ‘This extra payment doesn't solve the many problems with Carer's Allowance, but it will help carers struggling to make ends meet during the current economic crisis.’

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