Scores of carers overpaid more than £20,000 last year despite reforms

Scores of unpaid carers in the UK are facing significant financial demands and the threat of prosecution due to ongoing failures in the carer's allowance system. Despite the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) introducing measures to address the carer's allowance scandal, new figures reveal that the problem persists.

In the 2025-26 financial year, overpayments totaling £33 million were identified among 32,559 unpaid carers. Many of these individuals were subsequently asked to repay substantial sums, with some demands exceeding £20,000. This situation arises despite reforms implemented over a year prior, which were specifically designed to prevent carers from falling foul of the system.

The continued overpayments and subsequent demands for repayment suggest that the measures put in place have not been effective in resolving the systemic issues. The situation places a considerable burden on unpaid carers, many of whom rely on these allowances to support themselves and their dependents, and risks further distress and financial hardship.