Issue

Dependent Carers Allowance

2 stories · 1 council

Croydon Council's General Purposes Committee recommended an updated dependent carers allowance for councillors in January 2026.

In January 2026, Croydon Council's General Purposes Committee recommended an updated dependent carers allowance as part of the Members' Allowances Scheme for the 2026-27 financial year. The committee unanimously agreed to recommend this, alongside an annual inflationary increase to expenses, to the Full Council.

The proposed annual inflationary increase for expenses is 4.1%, reflecting the Consumer Price Index from 2024 to November 2025. A report to the committee highlighted that expense rates had not been reviewed for at least 20 years, leading to a significant disparity with the rising cost of living.

Dependent carers allowance is an allowance to support councillors with caregiving responsibilities, provided to cover costs associated with caring for dependents while carrying out their duties. No upcoming discussions on this topic are currently scheduled.

Key facts

  1. Croydon Council's General Purposes Committee recommended an updated dependent carers allowance in January 2026. Source
  2. The committee recommended an annual inflationary increase of 4.1% for councillors' expenses. Source 1 Source 2
  3. This recommendation was for the Members' Allowances Scheme for the 2026-27 financial year. Source 1 Source 2
  4. The proposed 4.1% increase reflects the Consumer Price Index from 2024 to November 2025. Source 1 Source 2
  5. A report to the committee noted expense rates had not been reviewed for at least 20 years. Source
About this summary

This summary was written automatically from our published stories and the council meeting records they draw on. It describes what councils have discussed and decided; it does not take a view on any decision. Each key fact links to the story it comes from. Updated 30 September 2026. Spotted a mistake? Email community@opencouncil.network.

Latest stories

  1. Croydon council to review councillors' expenses Croydon councillors are set to have their expenses reviewed, with a proposal to introduce annual inflationary increases to better reflect the rising cost of living. Croydon 16 January 2026
  2. Croydon councillors' allowances to rise with inflation Croydon councillors are set to see their allowances rise in line with inflation, following a recommendation from the General Purposes Committee. Croydon 16 January 2026