Why are carers treated so badly?

COUNCIL officials advertised for foster carers for at risk teenagers (Advertiser April 4). They offered “A weekly fee of £350, plus a fostering allowance of up to £226”, plus the support of a small army of social workers and other support staff.

I have known single parents who, through circumstances not of their making, have found themselves in a financial or accommodation situation where for a time they have had to put their children into care. If they had been given the help and finance given to the foster carers, perhaps they wouldn’t have had to put them into care in the first place.

One of the requirements to be a foster carer is they must have a spare bedroom. Yet, many disabled people and their carers whose condition necessitates them having a spare room are hit with the “bedroom tax”. Isn’t it shameful that this government which imposed this new “poll tax” on the “lower orders”, contains ministers who claim exorbitant expenses for living with their parents and which are approved?

Job Seekers allowance is £71.70 a week.

Basic Carers allowance is £59.75 a week. They must put in a 35 hour week, which makes it a full time job. The reality is for most carers, it is actually a 24 hour a day, seven days a week job. I know the authorities will point to the extra support and assistance carers can claim, but it has been my experience most of their claims will be rejected.

I make no case against foster parents, who provide a necessary and worthwhile service, but why are carers treated with such low regard?

Norman Duff, Heighton View, Aughton