Guardian sticks up for grandparents

Today’s (23 March) Guardian sees columnist Jackie Ashley recognising the crucial part that grandparents play in many families and that goes unrecognised by the Government’s welfare policies. Ms Ashley describes how countless families in the UK rely on grandparents to look after their children while they go out to work, 90% of which are unpaid, and many of whom still work themselves. Ms Ashley points out that if the grandparent were to look after a disabled adult for 20 hours per week, they would be entitled to National Insurance credits. But there is no financial help for caring for their grandchildren, a fact which the columnist describes as ‘...unfair, and mildly, barmy.’ The article then goes on to describe the financial challenges faced by older people who find themselves short of income, stating that 2 million older people receive means-tested benefits to top up low incomes, despite living in properties worth £50,000 or more. Faced with rising care costs and the need to buy disability aids such as stair lifts, the answer for many is an equity release loan. But many people are suspicious of these loans, and those who take them lose their entitlement to pension tax credits. Ms Ashley argues that the Government should take notice of Baroness Hollis, who will address these issues in the House of Lords this week, arguing that clearer advice is needed around equity release loans and those that choose them should be able to keep their pension tax credit.