National Carers Strategy

Opened the debate

Unpaid carers, numbering around 13.6 million across the country including those who started caring during the pandemic and young carers, face considerable personal cost in providing vital support to family members or friends. The role of unpaid carers has been more critical than ever due to the pandemic but remains unrecognised by the government. A national carers strategy was proposed under the last Labour Government but neglected since 2016, leaving carers waiting for its implementation. Despite over 6,500 contributions from carers and organisations during consultations for a new strategy, no publication has been made; instead, a flimsy action plan with little substance or funding was provided. The Minister’s response to the identification of carers through NHS services fell short compared to previous ambitions, leading to barriers in accessing support for many carers. Issues such as vaccination delays, financial strains due to pandemic-related costs, and lack of recognition within the workplace are highlighted. Carer's allowance has remained stagnant despite increased expenses faced by carers. Young carers face additional challenges without adequate support from local authorities or schools. Beyond immediate issues, there is a need for long-term reform in social care funding to reduce reliance on unpaid carers. The proposed Green Paper on social care promised ambitious plans but remains unfulfilled, leaving carers waiting and disappointed.

Government Response

The Minister thanked Barbara Keeley for raising this important issue and recognised the vital role unpaid carers play during challenging times. She highlighted that funding has been provided through various charities, helplines, and services to support carers during the pandemic, including free PPE equipment and priority vaccines as per JCVI guidelines. The Government also allocated £500,000 to Carers Trust for support against loneliness and £122,000 to extend Carers UK’s helpline hours. Additional funding is available through the Infection Control Fund to reopen day care centres, aiding carer respite services. For social care reform, over £1 billion in extra funding has been made available to local authorities for 2021-22, alongside enabling a 3% adult social care precept and further support packages worth approximately £3 billion. The Minister discussed the progress of the two-year carers action plan published in June 2018, showcasing commitments such as the Carer Confident benchmarking scheme and passport scheme aimed at enhancing employment policies for carers. Guidance to improve provision of carers’ breaks was also mentioned alongside a commitment towards improving adult social care reform in 2021. The Minister concluded by expressing gratitude to unpaid carers for their invaluable support and emphasised the government’s ongoing efforts to understand and support their needs effectively.