William Eichler 09 February 2022

Over 90% of unpaid carers feel ignored by Government

Over 90% of unpaid carers feel ignored by Government  image
Image: pikselstock/Shutterstock.com.

The vast majority of adult unpaid carers feel ignored by the Government, a new survey has revealed.

A poll by the Carers Trust of over 1,500 unpaid carers found that 91% felt ignored by the Government.

The charity’s survey also found that almost nine out of 10 (86%) unpaid carers either agree, or agree strongly, that successive Governments have ignored their needs for a long time.

‘Day in day out millions of unpaid carers play a crucial role, caring for family and friends and propping up our creaking social care system,’ said the Carers Trust’s executive director of policy and external affairs, Joe Levenson.

‘But it’s clear from our survey that this is at great personal cost, and that unpaid carers are struggling to cope and feel marginalised and ignored by Government.’

The survey also revealed that nearly half (49%) of the respondents said they had had to use their personal savings because of their caring role, and 51% reported giving up on hobbies or personal interests because of their caring role.

‘We welcome the UK Government’s recognition of the importance of unpaid carers in the recent adult social care white paper and are committed to working together to improve carers lives, but unpaid carers need ambitious and transformational change and they need it now,’ Mr Levenson continued.

‘The Government could let carers know they have been heard straight away by introducing a national strategy for unpaid carers, to ensure their needs are a priority across government. And they should act on what unpaid carers have told us, putting them at the heart of this strategy so it’s able to deliver the transformational change that’s desperately needed – such as boosting Carer’s Allowance and making it easier to claim and funding regular breaks and respite for carers.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Storytelling and Case Studies Officer

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
Starting Salary from £43,545 FTE based on Skill
Job Title Storytelling and Cas... Wandsworth Town Hall/hybrid
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Head of Housing Development

London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth
UP to £116,847
Job Title- Head of Housing Development Salary – UP to £116,847 Permanent – Fulltime (36hours) Location- Wandsworth Town Hall, London Are you experienced in Local Government Housing Association/Development? If yes, you are invited to consider th Wandsworth, London
Recuriter: London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and London Borough of Wandsworth

Chief of Staff

Borough Council of King's Lynn and West Norfolk
up to £126,615
We’re transforming services with ambition and community at the heart of our work. Norfolk
Recuriter: Borough Council of King's Lynn and West Norfolk

Director of People

Lancashire County Council
£108,697 - £117,998
As a leader at Lancashire County Council, you’ll join an authority with real scale, courageous ambition and deep pride in place. County hall
Recuriter: Lancashire County Council

Director of Strategy and Transformation

Lancashire County Council
£108,697 - £117,998
As a leader at Lancashire County Council, you’ll join an authority with real scale, courageous ambition and deep pride in place. Preston, Lancashire
Recuriter: Lancashire County Council
Linkedin Banner