Carers Trust responds to end of free coronavirus testing and implications for unpaid carers

The UK government announced yesterday the end to free coronavirus testing in England from April 1 as part of its “Living with Covid” plan.

Responding to the announcement, Carers Trust’s Executive Director of Policy and External Affairs, Joe Levenson, said:

“Carers Trust will be raising with the UK government the concerns we’re hearing from unpaid carers about the impact removing free Lateral Flow Tests (LFTs) will have on them and their families. Coronavirus hasn’t gone away, and as a society we still need to protect each other as we live with the virus.

“Many unpaid carers support someone who was recognised as Clinically Extremely Vulnerable, and so need to test regularly. Unpaid carers also understandably want to know that people like paid care support workers who may need to come into their homes are testing negative too.

“Our recent survey of unpaid carers and report, Pushed to the Edge, highlighted the severe financial issues many unpaid carers told us they’re already facing, all as a result of being an unpaid carer. Piling the cost of LFTs on to the additional costs unpaid carers already face, simply isn’t fair on them, especially when their precarious financial position is being exacerbated by the cost of living crisis.“

Notes to Editor:

For further information, and to arrange interviews with Carers Trust spokespeople, please contact: 

Matt Whitticase on mwhitticase@carers.org and 07824 539481. 

About Carers Trust

Carers Trust is a major charity for, with and about carers. We work to improve support, services and recognition for anyone living with the challenges of caring, unpaid, for a family member or friend who is ill, frail, disabled or has mental health or addiction problems.  

We do this with a UK wide network of quality assured independent partners and through the provision of grants to help carers get the extra help they need to live their own lives. With locally based Network Partners we are able to support carers in their homes through the provision of replacement care, and in the community with information, advice, emotional support, hands on practical help and access to much needed breaks. We offer specialist services for carers of people of all ages and conditions and a range of individual tailored support and group activities.  

Our vision is that unpaid carers count and can access the help they need to live their lives.