Carer Support Payment: business and regulatory impact assessment

Summary and recommendation

Option 3 – to introduce Carer Support Payment as recommended

In summary, Carer Support Payment will provide the Scottish Government with an opportunity to recognise the role of unpaid carers by improving the support available in Scotland and widening eligibility so that more carers can receive support. Any investment in unpaid carers will also contribute to an additional investment to the Scottish economy. The safe and secure transfer of awards from Carer’s Allowance to Carer Support Payment will ensure awards are transferred automatically and payments are protected.

The Scottish Government have worked closely with stakeholders to develop the policy and will continue to do so until the Carer Support Payment is implemented and beyond, monitoring the success of Carer Support Payment once live, initially in the pilot areas and later across the whole of Scotland. The consultation provided businesses and the third sector further opportunities to comment on any potential impacts of Carer Support Payment.

Any impacts on businesses of the Carer Support Payment Regulations are estimated to be either positive or neutral.