Content overview: “Carer's Allowance Cliff-Edge Abolished: New Digital Taper System in UK Budget”. The UK government will abolish the carer's allowance earnings limit 'cliff-edge' in Wednesday's budget, the Guardian can reveal. Chancellor John Healey is set to announce a new digital taper system, ending a controversial rule that led to unpaid carers being hit with penalties of thousands of pounds Chancellor John Healey is set to announce a new digital taper system, ending a controversial rule that led to unpaid carers being hit with penalties of thousands of pounds for exceeding the weekly earnings threshold.
Under the current system, carers who earn even £1 over the £151 weekly limit lose their entire allowance and face large overpayment fines. The reform follows a Guardian investigation that exposed the harsh impact on carers, many of whom were unaware they had breached the limit. The full version stays on the original page, which this listing opens directly.