Mark Whitehead 09 July 2019

Over half of unpaid carers ‘unable’ to save for retirement

Funding cuts are making it increasingly difficult to support unpaid carers, local government leaders have warned.

The Local Government Association (LGA) says the latest figures show long-term sustainable funding is needed for adult social care to support unpaid carers.

A report by Carers UK said more than half of unpaid carers are unable to save for retirement and more than a third are struggling to make ends meet.

Ian Hudspeth, chairman of the LGA’s community wellbeing board, said: 'Councils in England receive 1.8 million new requests for adult social care a year – the equivalent of nearly 5,000 a day – and there is a £3.6bn funding gap facing adult social care by 2025, just to maintain existing standards of care and support.’

‘We cannot duck this issue as a society any longer,’ he continued.

‘The Government needs to commit to meeting our deadline, before the party conferences start, to finally publish its long-awaited green paper outlining what the future funding options and possible solutions to this crisis are.

‘The upcoming Spending Review and much-delayed government green paper needs to provide the long-term sustainable funding solution which adult social care, including unpaid carers, urgently needs.'

The £37,000 SEND Problem image

The £37,000 SEND Problem

Natalie Kenneison, COO at Imosphere, argues that the real SEND funding crisis isn’t just about budgets - it’s about the systems behind the decisions.
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