Tag Archives: carers

Serco set to take charge of ‘big society’ initiative

August 5, 2012   Carers, charities

Charities warn against bid to run David Cameron’s programme for teenagers, the National Citizen Service

Members of Catch22 Unity in Nottingham

Members of Catch22 Unity in Nottingham. Photograph: David Sillitoe for the Guardian

Serco, a leading private contractor, is in line to win a multimillion-pound contract to run the National Citizen Service, proposed by the prime minister as a “big society”, non-military version of national service for youngsters aged over 16.

The company, which recently announced global revenue of more than £4bn, has joined four charities in a controversial bid to run what has been described by the government as a key part of David Cameron’s big society vision. Serco and its partners hope to win eight of the 19 contracts currently up for tender, with an estimated value of nearly £100m over two years.

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Plans for new sensory centre in Ilminster for families with autism

August 4, 2012   autism, Carers

A NEW sensory centre in Ilminster will be opened by Yeovil MP David Laws later this year.

The centre will provide support, advice, a sensory room and a play area for carers and families affected by Autistic Spectrum Disorder or other varying complex needs.

After the official opening at 10.30am on September 14 the centre will stay open for families and carers to drop in and talk to the founders about the support available.

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Carers set to be hit hard by tax relief cuts

August 4, 2012   benefits, Carers, ukcuts

CARERS are set to be hit by a council tax shake-up that could see them almost 20 per cent worse off.

Under the proposals, a carer for a disabled family member will lose about £210 a year in council tax relief when borough and district councils take control of the discount scheme next year.

  1. Paul Piper, 52, of Bellfield Road has criticised Tunbridge Wells Borough Council for proposed council tax benefits cuts

    Paul Piper, 52, of Bellfield Road has criticised Tunbridge Wells Borough Council for proposed council tax benefits cuts

Both Tunbridge Wells Borough Council and Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council plan to reduce the amount of council tax support by 18.5 per cent.

The only group protected from the increase is pensioners.

Paul Piper of Bellfield Road, Pembury, a full-time carer to his 10-year-old autistic daughter, believes people in his situation should be protected from the cuts.

He said: “It is unfair. People don’t appreciate what you have to spend money on when you have a disabled child. We have lots more costs we have to pay for and the £10 a month we would lose under these plans is a lot of money.

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