Carers UK research: government needs to recognise the critical role carers play

EMBARGO: 00.01 Thursday 21st November

Responding to Carers UK research putting the economic value of care provided by unpaid carers at £184 billion a year, Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey said:

“I have been a carer most of my life, first for my mum when I was young and now for my severely disabled son John, so I know how challenging it can be, but also how rewarding.

“These findings show just how much carers contribute to our society, but also how hard it is for carers to get the support they need.

“While the Liberal Democrats helped to secure a new right to carer’s leave, the last Conservative government took carers for granted and left them to fend for themselves. It even hounded thousands of carers for repayments of Carer's Allowance caused by the DWP's own broken system.

“The government now needs to fully recognise the critical role carers play and end the years of neglect under the Conservatives. That includes helping carers to juggle work with caring responsibilities, by introducing paid carer’s leave and fixing Carer’s Allowance so it doesn’t penalise work.”

ENDS