Carers Trust responds to the Chancellor’s Spring Statement

The Chancellor, the Rt Hon Rishi Sunak MP, today presented his Spring Statement to Parliament.

Responding to the Statement and what it means for unpaid family carers across the UK, Carers Trust’s Chief Executive Officer, Kirsty McHugh, said:

“Carers Trust research last month showed that unpaid carers are at the sharp end of the cost of living crisis. However, the Chancellor has again missed the opportunity to support unpaid carers, without whom our health and social care system would simply collapse. This is in sharp contrast to the Welsh and Scottish Governments who have recognised the importance of unpaid carers with the announcement of extra financial support.

“Overall, unpaid carers will be bitterly disappointed by today’s Spring Statement. There was little announced that shows the Government understands their plight. Many were missing bill payments, cutting back on food and borrowing money before the recent cost of living crisis. Even the minority of unpaid carers who are eligible for Carer’s Allowance face a real terms decrease in what they receive, as the allowance is due to increase by only £2.10 a week from April to £69.70. This nowhere near enough to keep up with inflation.

“In addition, we are worried that there was little in the announcement which will help local carer organisations, without whom many unpaid carers would not be able to cope day to day. Many are coping with spiralling fuel bills and difficulties with recruitment.  We must ensure that the extra funding raised by the forthcoming Health and Social Care Levy helps a transformation in the local social care landscape.”

Ends

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. 

Kate Cleaver kcleaver@carers.org and 07712 427808

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.  www.carers.org   

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.