Healey abolishes carer's allowance 'cliff-edge' in pre-Budget 'everyday fixes' package

Healey has announced a package of "everyday fixes" ahead of Wednesday's budget, including replacing the carer's allowance cliff-edge with a taper system.

• Healey announced carers will forfeit £1 of allowance for every £1 earned above the £204 weekly limit, replacing the rule that stripped the entire week's payment.
• The package also makes permanent the 55p-per-mile mileage rate, extends paternity pay to self-employed fathers, and suspends tariffs on imports including gherkins.
• Healey said ending the cliff-edge gives carers "the freedom to work a little more and earn a little more without suddenly losing all their support."
• Shadow Chancellor Andrew Griffith dismissed the package as "cheaper gherkins," calling it "an insult to families hammered by Labour's tax rises."