Carers Trust responds to Autumn Statement
Responding to the Autumn Statement, Carers Trust’s CEO, Kirsty McHugh, said:
“More than 100 measures were announced in the Autumn Statement. It is shameful that not one of them gets anywhere near easing a social care crisis that is causing so much suffering for so many. The system remains starved of investment and still has no long-term funding plan, despite years of empty promises.
“For a chancellor who claims the best way to tackle poverty is through work, it’s scandalous that there is next to nothing in his Autumn Statement to help make that a reality for so many unpaid family carers. There are around seven million of them in the UK and many are being driven into poverty by having to give up paid work so they can look after loved ones. Without this unpaid workforce the social care system would collapse, yet the UK Government seems happy to let them prop it up with no extra support.
“Even with Carer’s Allowance being raised in line with inflation, it remains the lowest benefit of its kind and in urgent need of reform. Yet again there is no attempt to tackle this and nothing to help the local carer organisations who support so many people. Two-fifths of unpaid carers have seen the intensity of their caring role increase in the past year, some caring for an extra 50 hours or more a week, yet the UK Government refuses to face this reality.”
Notes to editors
For further information, please contact: Mark Chandler, mchandler@carers.org and 07712 427808
About Carers Trust
Carers Trust is the UK charity working to transform the lives of unpaid carers across the UK. It partners with its network of local carer organisations to provide funding and support, deliver innovative and evidence-based programmes and raise awareness & influence policy. Carers Trust’s vision is that unpaid carers are heard and valued, with access to support, advice and resources to enable them to live fulfilled lives.
To find your nearest local carer organisation for advice and support, visit carers.org