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Policy Breakfast events

In 2025 and 2026 the Centre for Care co-hosted Policy Breakfasts at the House of Commons and Church House Westminster. Our first event in March 2025 explored the evidence in support of Paid Carer’s Leave and was co-hosted by Wendy Chamberlain MP, at our second in June 2025 we co-hosted another with Steve Darling MP, which focused on Carer’s Allowance reform. Our third Policy Breakfast was chaired by Liz Sayce OBE and took place in July 2026. This event explored how can the Department for Work and Pensions could re-build trust with carers.

On this page you will find our key outputs from these Policy Breakfasts.

July 2026: Administering Carer’s Allowance in 2026: Rebuilding Trust and Reducing Vulnerabilities

Read a commentary highlight by Becky Driscoll: click here (webpage)

A Roadmap for the Department of Work and Pensions

This roadmap builds on research evidence, engagement with stakeholders and the lived experiences of carers. Centre for Care research included in-depth qualitative research with:  

  • A diverse sample of 45 unpaid carers from England and Wales who provide regular support to a family member or friend who is disabled, living with a long-term health condition, or age-related care needs, exploring the risks to their financial wellbeing as a result of their caring role.
  • A sample of 20 welfare rights advisers from organisations providing benefits advice and support to unpaid carers across England and Wales.

This research was shared and discussed with a group of stakeholders at a policy breakfast event held in June 2026. This Roadmap incorporates their ideas and expertise. This included carers’ organisations, disability rights organisations, Parliamentarians, civil servants and others committed to a better social security system for carers and the people they support.

Click here to read the full document.

June 2025: Carer’s Allowance reform

Read a commentary highlight by Fay Benskin: click here (webpage).

Read the resulting ‘Case for Change’ document here (PDF)

Watch our video from the event, featuring short interviews with Steve Darling MP and our guests here:

March 2025: The evidence in support of Paid Carer’s Leave

Read the resulting ‘Case for Change’ document: click here (PDF):

Read a commentary highlight by Fay Benskin: click here (webpage).

Watch our video from the event, featuring short interviews with Wendy Chamberlain MP and our guests here: