Good news for carers

3:11pm Friday 20th April 2007

YEOVIL MP David Laws has welcomed a Government decision to accept a LibDem amendment to the Pensions Bill which is going through Parliament.

The effect of the Government's decision will be to ensure that 40,000 more carers get the Basic State Pension.

Mr Laws said: "I am delighted that the Government has conceded that their pension plans prevented many carers from building an entitlement to the Basic State Pension and that they will take steps to put this right.

"Carers make a huge contribution and this must be recognised when they come to retire by the granting of a full pension.

"Under the new proposals, agreed to by the Government, 40,000 more carers, who would have been unable to build up entitlement, will be credited with National Insurance Contributions and therefore will be eligible for a full state pension."

Mr Laws added: "I am pleased to have been able to achieve this improvement to our pension system."