Image source, Getty Images

Both CPI and RPI are measures of inflation - but they are calculated in a slightly different way.

For RPI, the arithmetic mean is taken on a group of items (including housing).

CPI, on the other had, uses what is called the geometric mean on a group of items (it does not look at housing).

This had led to RPI being 1.2 percentage points more, on average, than CPI (with a notable exception during the recession when mortgage rates hit near-zero).

Tory MSP Brian Whittle tells the chamber of one young carer who has to go pick up a loved one's prescriptions, which costs £5 for the bus trip.

This is time out of her day and money out of her pocket, he says.

I think there is a lack of ambition on the Labour motion and it needs more creative thought, says Mr Whittle.

He suggests exploring the possibility of concessionary travel for carers, or perhaps improving access to public sports facilities.

Image source, Stephen Fildes

Katie is a very slight 11-year-old. She looks tired as she opens the door.

The bungalow is close to Katie's new school, and has a ramp up to the door.

Carers come in four times each day to help with tasks like dressing and washing as well as making snacks and ready meals. The rest of the time, Katie looks after her Mum.

Charlotte has limited mobility, so Katie has become her legs. Every time her Mum needs her medication, Katie has to get it, along with a cup of water with a straw in it, putting it away when she's finished.

Read the rest of this long read on the story of young carer Katie.

Lib Dem MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton says the state arguably exploits unpaid carers using the love they feel for the person they care for.

Many carers often do not recognise that they are a carer, particularly young people, he explains.

We have been able to unite on this issue and provide extra cash using new benefit powers, Mr Cole-Hamilton says.

Turning to the debate at hand, the Lib Dem MSP suggests moving to RPI would only result in minimal improvements and calls for "meaningful uplifts" beyond inflation.

He suggests increasing access to respite care would be one method of additional support.

Green MSP Alison Johnstone says carers are undervalued and underpaid.

Ms Johnstone adds that is despite the fact carers save the Scottish economy some £10.8bn annually.

She says the Greens campaigned in the last election to increase carer's allowance to £93.15 a week, adding that would be £96.90 today.

Image source, bbc

The Green MSP tells the chamber her party will back Labour's amendment at decision time.

She welcomes the government's planned introduction of a young carer grant.

The young carer grant – worth £300 a year – will be part of a new package of support for young carers.

The grant will be awarded to young carers aged 16 to 18 who do at least 16 hours of caring a week, but do not qualify for carer’s allowance.

Tory MSP Miles Briggs says how we support carers in Scotland today and in the future is incredibly important.

That is why we support the introduction of the carers allowance supplement, he explains.

Mr Briggs says his amendment urges ministers to investigate a variety of measures when looking at uprating the benefit.

We want to look at how we can further support carers and the government should be open to considering alternatives he adds.

We must take a considered and long-term approach to these issues, he concludes.

Image source, Scottish Parliament

Being young is usually a time to have fun playing with friends and be carefree – but for the thousands of young carers in the UK, finding time to play with friends can be difficult due to the responsibilities caring brings.

Figures gathered by the BBC and the University of Nottingham suggest that 22% of secondary school age children who responded to a questionnaire were found to be carers for parents or relatives.

Shirley-Anne Somerville says she agrees with the Conservative amendment that alternative methods should always be considered.

The social security secretary insists there have been much needed increases going into carers' pockets since last summer, due to the introduction of the carers allowance supplement.

Labour MSP Elaine Smith asks why RPI is used for rail fares but CPI is used for carers.

There are historic areas where it is used, but that goes against the advice of the ONS replies the minister.

"What I won't do is agree to a method experts consider to be a poor measure of inflation."

"The CPI is the best mechanism."

Social Security Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville says the Scottish government has increased carers allowance by 13% under the supplement.

We will also introduce a young carer's grant and a benefit for carers looking after more than one disabled child, she adds.

Labour MSP Claudia Beamish says a commitment was made by the first minister to increase the allowance by £600 per annum.

The cabinet secretary criticises Labour for not bringing forward proposals on this during the budget.

The response to the carers allowance supplement has been positive and when it comes to uprating, we will do the right thing there too Ms Somerville adds.

Image source, Scottish Parliament

Image source, SPL

From Carers Scotland..., external

"The Carers Allowance Supplement was introduced in 2018 to meet the Scottish government’s commitment to increase Carers Allowance to the level of Jobseekers Allowance.

Carers Allowance Supplement is only payable to carers who live in Scotland.

It will be paid as a lump sum twice a year to people in receipt of Carer’s Allowance on the qualifying date. The qualifying dates for 2019 are 15 April 2019 and 14 October 2019.

It is two payments of £221 in 2018/19. Each payment will cover six months.

Image source, bbc

Mr Griffin says the change to CPI was one of George Osbornes first welfare cuts in 2010.

Public Finance Minister Kate Forbes asks why this was not a budget ask for Labour.

This is wider than the budget, replies Mr Griffin, and he says this measure would increase money for carers.

The Labour MSP tells the chamber the money should be paid through the supplement, as we can't change a single part of the carer's allowance until the autumn of next year.

He asks what advice will the cabinet secretary give to carers who have to ask for fewer hours work or lose the allowance.

Image source, Getty Images

Both CPI and RPI are measures of inflation - but they are calculated in a slightly different way.

For RPI, the arithmetic mean is taken on a group of items (including housing).

CPI, on the other had, uses what is called the geometric mean on a group of items (it does not look at housing).

This had led to RPI being 1.2 percentage points more, on average, than CPI (with a notable exception during the recession when mortgage rates hit near-zero).

Labour MSP Mark Griffin kicks off the debate by thanking carers for the work they do in caring for loved ones.

We are challenging the government to abandon CPI and adopt RPI to uprate the carers allowance supplement, Mr Griffin tells the chamber.

He explains RPI is generally more generous and also takes housing costs into account.

Tory MSP Jeremy Balfour asks how much it would cost to make the move.

The Labour MSP points to research from SPICe indicating it would be £3m.

Image source, Scottish Parliament

Scottish Labour’s wants to reverse Tory welfare changes and ensure Carer’s Allowance and the Carer’s Allowance Supplement will be uprated by the Retail Price Index (RPI) instead of the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

The party say analysis from the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe) shows that uprating by RPI would cost £2.8m in 2019-20, with 82,000 carers £33 per year better off.

Social Security Minister Shirley-Anne Somerville says Social Security Scotland has put in a range of measures, including pre-claim guidance and technical guidance for staff.

We also have a robust checking process for applications she adds.

Ms Johnstone says claimant error is mostly due to not providing the DWP with information on a reduction in need due to an improvement in mobility, for example.

The minister accepts this is the case and insists building trust with claimants will help with this.

Image source, Getty Images

Questions have been raised from benefits claimants after the UK government revealed that 180,000 people are entitled to back-payments following years of errors.

Calculation mistakes were made during the process of moving people from incapacity benefit and severe disability allowance on to employment and support allowance (ESA).

The average rebate is about £5,000.

But some claimants are unsure if they are due a payout.

Read more.

Green MSP Alison Johnstone asks about efforts to minimise erroneous underpayment of devolved social security assistance.