The Daily Mirror newspaper has pledged its support to securing a better quality of life for Britain’s six million unpaid carers, whose work saves health and social services around £87 billion per year. The Mirror has teamed up with the charity Carers UK to campaign for a significant increase in carers’ benefits. The newspaper reveals that many carers are living in poverty because the demands of caring have forced them to quit their jobs, whilst others have had to give up their social lives or abandon school and university courses. Many carers also suffer from physical and mental health problems which have been caused by the strain of caring for relatives or friends. Imelda Redmond of Carers UK comments: ‘It is not properly recognised how people have to give up their jobs and look after sick and disabled relatives. Carers have to rely on a very low level of income and many struggle to afford just basic living costs.’
As well as the financial issues, the Mirror is also tackling the lack of respite care that is available for carers and is campaigning for carers to be allowed time off work when they are unable to cope. Its three demands to the Government are:
- An immediate Government review of carers’ benefits and the Carer’s Allowance to be increased
- More respite breaks and health checks for carers
- Carer’s Leave to be made into law so carers can ask bosses for discretionary time off.
A number of other charities are backing the Mirror’s ‘Caring for Carers Campaign’ including the National Autistic Society, the Alzheimer’s Society and Oxfam as well as local community groups and 3,000 carers. Two other carers’ charities, the Princess Royal Trust for Carers and Crossroads Care recently revealed that 75% – or £40 million – of Government funds that had been earmarked to pay for respite care have been redirected into other areas by PCTs.
To find out more about the Mirror’s ‘Caring for Carers Campaign’ and to read its Carers’ Blog and case studies of the problems that carers are facing, visit the Mirror’s website.
posted by Cheselden Continuing Care at
11:35
