Backbench Business

Complemented Caroline Dinenage on securing the debate and emphasised the importance of respite care, citing his personal experience with a brother who was in an accident.

Expressed gratitude for the debate and shared a visit to Tŷ Hafan, highlighting struggles faced by carers with rising living costs and medical expenses.

Carers are struggling with financial pressures and emotional strain due to the lack of support from the Government. Research by Carers UK indicates that a quarter of unpaid carers cut back on essentials, 42% experienced negative impacts on finances, and 84% had their emotional health negatively affected. The warm home discount scheme changes have adversely impacted many carers, and proposed social care reforms further exacerbate financial burdens. Mental health issues among carers are rising as they struggle with the strain of providing care without adequate breaks or financial support. A national carers strategy is needed to set standards for valuing and supporting carers, but the Government has failed to publish one despite previous consultations. Labour’s 2008 commitment included £150 million for respite care breaks, which have been insufficiently supported by current policies such as five days of unpaid leave from care. The decline in funding for carers’ breaks is evident; 42% fewer carers received them between 2015-16 and 2020-21. Carers face challenges in accessing support due to poor communication with healthcare providers, leading to significant delays and repeated assessments. Proper identification of carers by the NHS would significantly improve their access to necessary support.

Highlighting a positive example from Tŷ Hafan in Sully, where families can relax together in a pristine environment without undertaking full care responsibilities. This approach provides quality family time and respite for carers.

Paid tribute to Dame Caroline Dinenage for securing the debate, highlighted the challenges faced by carers with statistics such as 5.7 million carers in the UK and life expectancy leading to more health conditions among elderly and disabled individuals. Emphasised her personal experience supporting her mother who cared for her father with Alzheimer’s and mentioned the importance of mental, physical, and financial support for carers. Supported the Carer’s Leave Act 2023 which entitles unpaid carers to five extra days off annually, citing that about 600 people leave work daily due to care duties. Stressed the impact on young carers with an estimated 800,000 across the UK and their sacrifices in terms of education and personal growth. Praised government initiatives like extending education, health, and care plans to 19-25 year-olds but noted the need for more funding and recognition for both unpaid and professional carers.

Congratulates the hon. Member for Gosport on securing this debate and highlights her work in supporting carers through her Carer’s Leave Bill. Mentions groups she has met during her research, such as CRAP Carers in St Andrews and Fife Young Carers. Points out that Scotland has up to 800,000 carers, with many facing financial difficulties and concerns about energy bills. Highlights the challenges faced by young carers and provides an example of a constituent who cares for her elderly mother with Alzheimer’s disease and mobility issues, struggling with administrative tasks and balancing work commitments. Emphasises the need for paid carer’s leave and more carer-positive policies, such as recognising Carer Positive businesses in Scotland. Discusses the limitations on working hours while claiming carer’s allowance and raises concerns about the impact of T-levels on young carers’ ability to claim support. Advocates for statutory guarantees for respite breaks and highlights local initiatives providing holidays for carers. Supports the amendment by her hon. Friend Daisy Cooper regarding an NHS duty to identify unpaid carers, and mentions the work of the previous private Member’s Bill by Barbara Keeley.

Lake echoes the urgency of supporting unpaid carers and highlights their significant contribution to society. He notes the financial pressures faced by unpaid carers due to rising living costs, especially in his constituency where 72% rely on heating oil. Lake discusses local initiatives such as identifying unpaid carers for support services like respite care, which are crucial but often cut back. He emphasises the inadequacy of the current Carer's Allowance and highlights public support for additional financial support based on a YouGov poll where 84% agreed. The value of unpaid carers in his constituency is estimated at £700 million annually.

Congratulates the hon. Member for securing the debate; highlights the importance of recognising unpaid carers' contributions to society; shares Karen's story, a high-flying worker who gave up her job during the pandemic to care for her mother, leading to financial difficulties and potential homelessness; acknowledges local organisations such as Lanarkshire Carers and North Lanarkshire Carers Together that support carers; mentions the Scottish Government’s focus on supporting young carers with financial payments and opportunities; emphasises the economic value of unpaid carers in Scotland; highlights gender disparities and their impact on pension benefits for women carers; underlines the importance of stakeholder engagement in policy-making, especially in national care strategy development; points out that 29% of carers from deprived areas provide over 35 hours of care weekly.

I am very pleased to speak in the debate and congratulate the hon. Member for Gosport on securing it. This issue is close to my heart as millions of people are trying their best to care for sick, frail, elderly or disabled loved ones. However, unpaid carers face significant challenges such as balancing work commitments with caregiving duties, dealing with fragmented healthcare services, and managing financial burdens that can lead to poverty. The Care Act 2014 is not being adequately implemented due to local government service cuts. Carers need breaks, both physical and emotional, which are currently lacking. A quarter of carers have to cut back on essentials and many face severe financial strain. The economic implications of providing care include the sacrifices made by young caregivers who miss out on their hopes and dreams, often feeling invisible in society. The latest census shows that one in five women aged 55-60 are caring for an older or disabled loved one. Almost 5 million people juggle work with caregiving responsibilities. Since the covid pandemic, over 2.5 million unpaid carers have had to leave their jobs due to inadequate support. This is not good for families, businesses, or the economy as it affects workforce productivity and economic growth. Labour calls for a 10-year programme of investment and reform in care services, including better public funding, improved working conditions for paid caregivers, a more integrated health and social care system, and increased support for unpaid carers to balance work and family life. Proper childcare is vital for children's development, workforce participation, women’s equality, and economic growth; similarly, social care must be prioritised in our economic policy.

Paid tribute to carers, noting their immense sacrifices. Discussed the challenges faced by carers during the pandemic and highlighted the importance of identifying carers and providing them with necessary support, including breaks from caring duties. Mentioned the Carer’s Leave Act 2023 which allows eligible unpaid carers a week's flexible leave annually.

Spoke about financial difficulties faced by carers and the need for cross-Government commitment to support them. Emphasised the importance of breaks and time off from caring responsibilities.

Shared personal experience of caring for her father, highlighting loneliness and isolation but also how cricket helped in coping with these challenges. Discussed the long-term effects on young carers who often make significant sacrifices.

Discussed her work on steering the Carer’s Leave Bill through Parliament, emphasising what employers can do to support carers and the opportunity of being a Carer Positive employer.

Spoke about difficulties in getting assessments for carers and highlighted the importance of bringing carers together to support one another and listen to their needs.

Discussed the impact of cost-of-living issues on heating homes for carers, particularly in areas off-grid where oil is used as a heating source.

The hon. Member Caroline Dinenage shared personal anecdotes about caring for a family member with dementia, emphasising the need to recognise carers and provide them with support, funding, respite services, and a national carers strategy.

The hon. Member Rosie Winterton noted that contributions about young carers from Balby Central Primary Academy would have been enjoyed by the students there, marking a positive note towards the conclusion of the debate.