UNPAID CARE ‘SIZE OF A SECOND NHS’

FAMILY and other loved ones are carrying out more than £160 billion worth of unpaid care every year in England and Wales

The staggering value of the care they provide would be enough to fund a second NHS in the two countries

New findings show those looking after relatives or friends with a disability, illness, mental health condition, or needing extra help as they grow older, contribute £446 million to the economy every day

Professor Matt Bennett, from the centre for care at the University of Sheffield said: “Without unpaid carers, our health and social care systems would collapse ” Despite increases to NHS funding over the last 10 years, increases to social care funding have not kept pace and the care system is now relying ever more heavily on unpaid carers to prop it up

Providing increasing hours of unpaid care, family members have no choice but to give up work or reduce their hours to do so, also putting their physical and mental health needs to one side

The findings show unpaid carers are providing more hours of care than they were 10 years ago While the latest 2021 census shows there are fewer carers in England and ales, the number of hours are they provide has shot leading to their higher mic contribution Walker, chief executive of Carers UK, said the situation was deeply concerning “The ever-declining availability of social care means there is shrinking support for families to pull on, and they are left without a choice but to put other areas of their life on hold and provide more care

“The Government must show that it values and supports unpaid carers by investing in and delivering quality care services for families in the longer-term

“Carers need a funded National Carers Strategy and recognition within the NHS Hundreds of thousands of carers on low incomes are desperate to see their financial support urgently reviewed ”

Professor Bennett added: “We hope policy makers see the urgent need to act to support unpaid carers ” n Carers UK Helpline: 0808 808 7777.

DISABLED households are now facing an average extra cost of £1,122 per month to pay for essential products and services

Two years ago the average extra cost was £583 a month, says national disability charity Scope

The extra costs involved are the additional amount of money a disabled household would need to have the same standard of living as a non-disabled household

The charity’s report also shows how disability benefit payments like Personal Independence Payment (PIP), are failing to keep pace with extra costs

Between 2016 and 2020, the poorest 20% of households saw their income fall by 11% in real terms

Many disabled households now have some of the lowest income levels in the country, with 33% of disabled people in the lowest household income group

A Scope spokesperson said: “As disabled households’ extra costs have dramatically increased since 2016/17, it is vital the Government targets support for extra costs to those who most need it

“Tackling the extra cost of disability must be seen as a political priority, so that every disabled person can participate in society and reach their potential “

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