Carers Trust responds to Liz Kendall's speech on getting young people into work

Responding to Shadow Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Liz Kendall's call for more young people to be in work and training, Carers Trust’s Policy and Practice Manager, Andy McGowan, said:

“We welcome Labour’s plan for more investment to reduce the number of young people not in employment, education or training. But if political parties are serious about this, support needs to be targeted at groups like the UK’s 600,000 young adult carers. More than 80,000 young people spend over 20 hours a week on their caring role, with nearly 40,000 of them spending at least 50 hours a week looking after someone with a long-term illness, disability or addiction.

“With such daunting caring responsibilities, it’s no surprise that 45% of young adult carers told Carers Trust they struggle to balance caring with paid work. Making sure young adult carers have the same access to training and support as other young people requires urgent action at a national and local level. That’s why Carers Trust is calling on all political parties to prioritise a cross-government national carers strategy that helps all young and young adult carers get the support they need. That’s also why we are demanding fair futures for young carers on Young Carers Action Day next week.”