Emma Lewell MP: Carers Allowance rates are too low and a strategy is long overdue
This week is Carers Week – a week when we are reminded of the sheer volume of unpaid carers and how they go about caring day in and day out, often without support, without a break and without any recognition.
Across South Tyneside there are an estimated 15,000 carers. Many wouldn’t class themselves as carers. I know that in my family, when members have looked after one other, they never thought of themselves as a carer. Often they would say they were just looking after their loved ones – their mam, their dad, gran or grandad.
We also often think of carers as being adults. But there are so many children who have taken on caring responsibilities too.
According to Carers UK in 2024, carers were estimated to be saving the NHS and social services over £180billion per year. That was close to the entire UK NHS budget.
Anyone who has cared for a loved one knows it can take its toll. The early mornings, late nights, the constant worry and then the guilt if you do manage to get some rare time to yourself. But most would not have it any other way. They want to care for the person they love. What they do need though is more support from government.
So far, this Government has increased the Carers Allowance so that that carers can earn more from paid work without losing their allowance entitlement. They have also continued to reassess overpayments (inherited from the previous government), resulting in some carers having either reduced debt, debt cancelled or refunded.
The Government is also reviewing employment rights for unpaid carers with the goal that they can continue to remain in paid employment alongside their caring duties. The statutory right to unpaid Carer's Leave also remains in force.
A comprehensive national Carers Strategy is very long overdue. The Carers Allowance rates remain too low. Paid leave should be the norm and a legal right to respite is essential to avoid burnout.
Our carers must be cared for too.