Advertisement
News

Carers Rights Day: Unpaid carers ‘save UK £530 million every day of pandemic’

Carers Rights Day raises awareness of the work done by unpaid carers and helps those providing care find support

Unpaid carers looking after loved ones during the Covid-19 pandemic are saving the taxpayer £530 million per day, according to new research by Carers UK.

The new study, released on Carers Rights Day, revealed care provided by unpaid carers was valued at £135 billion for the eight months of the pandemic so far as people took on more caring responsibilities for their relatives and friends who are disabled, ill or older and need support.

Helen Walker, chief executive of Carers UK, said: “With every day that this pandemic goes on, unpaid carers are being pushed to the limit providing ever more care for loved ones with fast-diminishing support. 

“They say they feel completely overlooked, overwhelmed, and can’t go on like this.”

Carers Rights Day aims to raise awareness of the work done by unpaid carers and help those providing care understand their rights and know where to find support. 

Carers UK is now calling on ministers to “recognise the contribution of millions of carers” and “protect their health and wellbeing” during the crisis. 

Advertisement
Advertisement

The charity has urged the Government to increase the income of carers entitled to Carer’s Allowance, saying an extra £20 a week is needed to match the increase made to Universal Credit.  

Previous research by the charity found 81 per cent of carers have been taking on more care since the start of the pandemic, with nearly two-thirds worried about how they will manage over the coming winter. 

Walker added ministers “urgently” needed to review carers’ breaks services and increase investment so carers could take a break. 

“Without crucial breaks services up and running this winter, we will only see more unpaid carers break down and an increase in hospital admissions at a time when the health system is already under significant pressure,” she added. 

“The Government has to acknowledge the enormous contribution made by carers during this pandemic – the value of which is a staggering £530 million every single day – and give back to carers by prioritising their health, wellbeing and resilience this winter.”

Big Issue vendors need your help now more than ever. More than 1,000 vendors are out of work because of the second lockdown in England. They can’t sell the magazine and they can’t rely on the income they need.

The Big Issue is helping our vendors with supermarket vouchers and gift payments but we need your help to do that.

Pleasebuy this week’s magazine from the online shop ortake out a subscription to make sure we can continue to support our vendors over this difficult period. You can even link your subscription to your local vendor withour new online map.

Thank you all so much for your ongoing support.

Advertisement

Sign our petition to keep people in their homes

Urgent action is needed to prevent even more people being pushed into homelessness.  A secure home is the first step in addressing the cruel cycle of poverty to ensure people can fulfil their potential. Join us to keep people in their homes.

Recommended for you

Read All
Homeless charity transforms Ford Transit van to help rough sleepers with food, hygiene and shelter
Rough sleeping

Homeless charity transforms Ford Transit van to help rough sleepers with food, hygiene and shelter

How people are turning to converted vehicles and DIY homes to beat UK's housing crisis
Housing

How people are turning to converted vehicles and DIY homes to beat UK's housing crisis

'He begged mummy to take him home': Autistic man 'abused' while being kept in mental hospital for six years
Mental Health Act

'He begged mummy to take him home': Autistic man 'abused' while being kept in mental hospital for six years

Sharing is caring: How co-housing could be another piece of the puzzle in solving UK housing crisis
Housing

Sharing is caring: How co-housing could be another piece of the puzzle in solving UK housing crisis

Most Popular

Read All
Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits
1.

Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal
2.

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal

Here's when people will get the next cost of living payment in 2023
3.

Here's when people will get the next cost of living payment in 2023

Citroën Ami: the tiny electric vehicle driving change with The Big Issue
4.

Citroën Ami: the tiny electric vehicle driving change with The Big Issue