Young carers who are dependent on Government support are unfairly penalised by the benefits system, a coalition of civil society organisations says.
Under the current rules, carers who are aged 16 to 24 are ineligible for the carer's allowance if they study for more than 21 hours a week.
This means they are prevented from taking full courses of A-levels, BTecs or T-levels without going over the limit.
A letter, signed by more than 200 individuals and organisations including charities and housing associations, has urged the Government to reform the so-called ‘21 hour rule’.
Andy McGowan, policy and practice manager at Carers Trust, said: ‘It makes no sense for the 21 hour rule to remain in place, drastically limiting the aspiration of thousands of young adult carers and making them choose between learning and caring. It’s time for the Government to be true to its words about the importance of learning and aspiration and support these young people by making them exempt.’
