The Carer’s Assistance (Young Carer Grant and Carer Support Payment) (Miscellaneous Amendment and Saving Provision) (Scotland) Regulations 2025: scrutiny report

Carer’s Allowance Supplement was introduced under the Social Security (Scotland) Act 2018 as a temporary provision to make a payment twice a year to carers in Scotland getting Carer’s Allowance or Carer Support Payment on a set qualifying date. In 2024/25, it is £288.60, rising to £293.50 in 2025/26.

The draft regulations replace Carer’s Allowance Supplement with Scottish Carer Supplement, bringing it under the same framework as other carer’s assistance. This means carers will receive the supplement for every week they qualify for Carer Support Payment, rather than the current lump sum where eligibility is established on a qualifying date twice a year. Aligning entitlement and payments with Carer Support Payment is intended to ensure carers receive money regularly and do not miss out on six months’ money if they were not eligible on the qualifying date. For some carers, the switch to a four-weekly payment could require adjustments to household budgeting for those used to getting a lump sum.

We understand the need for a change in name, given that it is no longer a supplement to Carer’s Allowance but is aligned solely to Carer Support Payment. This was also reflected in feedback we received from stakeholders. Stakeholders did, however, tell us they felt there was a potential for confusion arising from the change in name and highlighted the importance of communication of the change in name and change in how it will be paid.