I propose to take Questions Nos. 71, 72 and 73 together.
The carer's allowance is a social assistance scheme which provides an income maintenance payment for people who are providing elderly or incapacitated pensioners or certain persons with disabilities with full-time care and attention, and whose incomes fall below certain limits. At the end of last December 10,330 people were in receipt of a carer's allowance at a cost of over £37 million in 1997.
Since its introduction in 1990, the allowance has been improved and expanded progressively over the years. As announced in the budget, the weekly personal rate of the carer's allowance is being increased from next June by £5, from £70.50 to £75.50, for those over the age of 66, and £3 for carers under 66, from £70.50 to £73.50.