SCOTTISH GOVERNMENT PAYS OUT £554,000 TO CARERS IN MIDLOTHIAN AND £504,000 TO CARERS IN EAST LOTHIAN

 1,365 CARERS BENEFIT FROM DEVOLVED WELFARE POWERS IN MIDLOTHIAN AND 1,230 CARERS BENEFIT FROM DEVOLVED WELFARE POWERS
 
Thousands of carers in Midlothian and East Lothian have benefitted from new Carer’s Allowance Supplement (CAS) payments of up to £442 introduced by the Scottish Government.
 
New figures show that 1,365 payments have been to carers in Midlothian, totalling £554,000 and 2,280 payments have been to carers in East Lothian, totalling £504,000
 
The Carer’s Allowance Supplement is an extra payment made to carers in Scotland twice a year, in recognition of the important contribution they make.
 
Carers will now get two supplementary payments totalling £442 per year, equivalent to an extra £8.50 per week, which is a 13% increase on the Carer’s Allowance from the UK Government.

SNP MSP Colin Beattie said:  
 
“Last year, the Carer’s Allowance Supplement helped 83,000 carers across Scotland, including 1,365  in Midlothian and 1,230 in East Lothian.
 
“Carers in Midlothian and East Lothian make an absolutely vital contribution to our society, and it’s only appropriate that they’re duly valued and properly supported.
 
“The SNP is determined to use the powers available to the Scottish Government to improve the lives of people across Scotland.
 
“This supplementary payment allows the Scottish Government to get more money into the pockets of carers, as quickly as possible.
 
“I am delighted that carers in Midlothian and East Lothian are being recognised for the important contribution carers make, and the hard work they do in what can often be difficult circumstances.”
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