Carer Support Payment: island communities impact assessment

Conclusion

This impact assessment has highlighted that living in island and remote communities presents unique challenges for carers.

The introduction of Carer Support Payment and the case transfer process are expected to have a positive impact on carers across Scotland, regardless of location.

Carer Support Payment will help to address a number of issues raised in this ICIA such as the higher cost of living in remote rural and island communities, and challenges faced in relation to connectivity and accessibility.

Research shows a substantially higher 65+ group of carers on the islands than on the mainland (40% of all entitled to Carer’s Allowance are over 65 whereas this figure is only 29% in Scotland as a whole). The over 65 group mostly have underlying entitlement to the benefit due to receipt of the State Pension which is an overlapping benefit.

We recognise that the cost of living is on average higher for island and rural carers and that this payment does not adjust for this factor. Therefore, it is likely that the value of Carer Support Payment in real terms will be lower for island and rural carers. This could amount to a disadvantage for an island or rural community, compared to mainland communities, or between island groups.

Island and rural carers will benefit from wider cross-governmental work to positively impact remote rural communities, and carers throughout Scotland:

• Through the National Plan for the Islands, actions have been identified to tackle the higher costs of fuel, transport and housing as well as to drive inclusive and sustainable economic growth. These actions are likely to have a more direct and positive impact on tackling the cost of living for all residents in island communities.
• A range of work is being undertaken by the Scottish Government to address the challenges that people in island and rural communities face. For example, the Islands Strategic Group was established in August 2016. The group considers strategic issues affecting the island communities of Scotland, and to ensure greater involvement of the relevant councils in helping to identify and design solutions to the unique needs and challenges these communities face.

Action to protect payments as part of the case transfer process will be of particular benefit given the increased living costs associated with living in an island community.

The Social Security Scotland Local Delivery service will improve outcomes for island and rural communities by offering flexibility and choice in accessing support. The automatic transfer of existing Carer’s Allowance awards, rather than requiring clients re-apply for their benefit, will be particularly beneficial given the challenges many island communities face with transport and internet connectivity.

The Scottish Government has concluded that no further changes to Carer Support Payment are necessary as a result of the ICIA.