Today, a letter has been delivered to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer urging him to make support for unpaid carers one of the government’s top priorities.
The open letter, signed by more than 10,000 people, has called for the government to take urgent and decisive action to support those who are caring for a partner, relative or friend who is elderly or ill without being paid.
Arranged by Carers UK, the letter discussed carers’ key priorities and discussed how the government can make sure that they are recognised and supported over the next five years. Some of these measures include:
- Reforming and increased Carer’s Allowance
- Introducing paid Carers’ Leave
- A long-term funding settlement for adult social care
It has been sixteen years since then Prime Minister Gordon Brown supported the last National Carers Strategy, and now Carers UK has called on the government to make an early commitment to delivering a 'new, ambitious and fully-funded’ cross-government carers strategy that reflects the contribution that unpaid carers have played in the last decade. Such a strategy gained unanimous support during a pre-election consultation from the All-Party Parliamentary Group of Carers
Chief Executive of Carers UK, Helen Walker, said:
“Carer’s mental and physical health is getting worse, and for some it’s at rock bottom. Over 10,000 people have signed the open letter, many of whom are carers or former carers, showing the strength of feeling on this issue.
“Nearly three quarters of carers whose mental health is bad or very bad or are continuing to care even though they feel at breaking point. There is no time to lose, which is why we’re calling for a National Carer’s Strategy committing to further support and identifying specific actions to deliver tangible progress for carers, their families and those they care for.
“The new Government has a once in a generation opportunity to transform the lives of millions of people and ensure that every unpaid carer gets the practical, financial and workplace support they need to balance caring responsibilities alongside looking after their own health and wellbeing. It must deliver on its commitments to carers, there is no time to waste.”
Currently, there are more than one and a half million people in England and Wales that spend more than 50 hours a week caring for someone, with this resulting in the value of unpaid carers’ support now being worth £162 billion a year – which is the equivalent of a second NHS.
Image credit: iStock
