The UK introduced a Caregivers Strategy in 1999, which builds on earlier policies allowing cash payments to caregivers. The 1999 Caregivers Strategy formally acknowledges the contributions made by the one in eight British people with a caregiving role, and introduces a number of legislative changes to support caregivers. Key aspects put forward in 1999 include:
• changes to pension policies to give caregivers increased social security benefits eg the Invalid Care Allowance for caregivers aged 16-65 who provide care for more than 35 hours a week to someone assessed as having a disability and a commitment to providing a second pension to informal caregivers