Carers Week from 10 – 16 June will take the opportunity in the run up to the general election on 4 July , to highlight the increasing pressures on carers and campaign for much-needed recognition and support. Carers UK aim to ‘put carers on the map’ saying:
“Over the last 10 years, the amount of unpaid care being provided has increased significantly, with over one and a half million people in England and Wales now caring for over 50 hours every week. As a result, the value of unpaid carers’ support is now worth a staggering £162 billion a year – equivalent to spending on the NHS – without which our health and care systems would simply collapse.“
Carers UK is inviting unpaid carers to sign their open letter to the next Prime Minister which will be delivered to 10 Downing Street following the General Election result.
The letter calls for action including to :
- Reform and significantly increase Carer’s Allowance and other social security payments for carers ( following the recent publicity about recovery of overpayments ).
- Deliver an ambitious and fully funded National Carers Strategy.
- Invest in breaks, respite services, and introduce new legislation so all carers have the right to regular and meaningful breaks.
- Introduce a right to paid Carer’s Leave for working carers.
- Recognise caring as the 10th protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010.
View report No Choice but to Care.
Sheffield Carers Centre has a list of events events taking place during the week.
