英国财政大臣蕾切尔·里夫斯（Rachel Reeves）宣布计划在预算中废除导致数十万无偿照护者陷入财务困境的“断崖式”津贴规则，并引入新的数字渐退系统 1。当前的“断崖式”规定意味着，一旦照护者的每周收入超过204英镑，其享有的86.45英镑每周照护津贴将被全额取消 1。尽管这一改革方向受到广泛欢迎，但许多受影响的照护者指出，新系统预计要到2030年才能全面上线，且政府未能妥善解决该规则在实施前造成的历史债务问题 1。
由于新旧制度交替期间的滞后性，大量照护者仍背负着因旧规产生的巨额欠款，这促使他们继续通过法律途径挑战不合理的还款要求 1。典型案例包括Guy Shahar夫妇，他们因每周收入仅超出限额1.92英镑，被就业与养老金部（DWP）追讨高达10,130.45英镑的款项及50英镑的民事罚款 1。此外，Andrea Tucker也在2025年2月成功推翻了针对她的4,600英镑多付款项判决 1。面对这些案例，受害群体呼吁政府不仅应免除未偿还的历史债务，还应对因现行规则遭受不公待遇的个人提供补偿 1。
The UK Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, has announced a proposal to replace the current "cliff-edge" rule for carer's allowance with a new tapering system, a move intended to alleviate financial distress for hundreds of thousands of unpaid carers. 1 The existing regulation stipulates that if a recipient's weekly income exceeds £204, they lose the entire weekly allowance of £86.45. 1 While the reform has been broadly welcomed by advocacy groups, many affected individuals argue that the government's plan fails to adequately address historical injustices created by this rigid threshold. 1
Critics highlight significant shortcomings in the proposed solution, primarily concerning its delayed implementation and unresolved past debts. 1 The new digital tapering system is not expected to be fully operational until 2030, leaving a substantial gap during which the old rules remain in effect. 1 Furthermore, numerous carers continue to struggle with enormous debts incurred under the previous regime, despite successful legal challenges against unreasonable repayment demands. 1 For instance, Guy Shahar and his wife were required to repay £10,130.45 plus a £50 civil penalty because their weekly income exceeded the limit by just £1.92. 1 In another case, Andrea Tucker successfully overturned a judgment requiring her to pay back £4,600 in overpayments in February 2025. 1 Consequently, many unpaid carers are calling for immediate debt forgiveness and compensation for those harmed by the outdated policy, rather than waiting for future structural changes. 1
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