MPs call for carer’s allowance review as numbers overpaid soars

Figures show 34,500 people incurred overpayments last year after falling foul of rules, landing many with huge debts

MPs have called for a full-scale review of carer’s allowance and an end to harsh benefit rules that have resulted in tens of thousands of unpaid carers being fined huge sums and in some cases prosecuted for minor infringements of earnings limits.

The calls came as new official figures showed that the number of unpaid carers incurring fines after inadvertently falling foul of earnings rules soared to more than 34,000 last year, with more than 1,000 individuals hit with sums of between £5,000 and £20,000.