NALC backs campaign for fairer carers' allowance for parish and town councillors
We are supporting Weymouth Town Council in its campaign to give parish and town councils the same right as principal authorities to offer a Dependants' Carers' Allowance. Parish and town councils are being urged to write to their MPs to build parliamentary support ahead of a renewed proposal to the government.
The campaign aims to address an inequality that prevents parish and town councils in England from choosing to pay councillors an allowance to help cover childcare and other dependants' care costs while carrying out council business, such as attending meetings. Principal authorities already have this option.
Weymouth Town Council is preparing to resubmit an amended proposal under the Sustainable Communities Act, following the government's decision in April 2026 not to extend this right to parish and town councils. We have backed Weymouth Town Council's work, and our Policy Committee has also expressed strong support.
The case for change is reinforced by our recent survey, which found strong support for giving parish and town councils the option to introduce the allowance using their precept. Key findings included that 95% believe parish and town councils should have the right to offer the allowance, 64% believe it could attract more candidates to stand in local elections, 86% believe it could increase attendance at council meetings, 95% believe it could improve councillor diversity, and 89% believe there is now a moral imperative to introduce the right.
Weymouth Town Council is also surveying residents. The results will contribute to its submission, with the aim of resubmitting the proposal to government in December 2026.
Alongside Weymouth Town Council, we are encouraging parish and town councils to write to their MPs in the coming weeks to raise awareness of the issue and express support for the forthcoming proposal.
A template letter as part of our Engaging Parliament Toolkit is available to help parish and town councils contact their MPs and build awareness and parliamentary support.
