Responding to a Carers UK report, on unpaid carers providing
additional care for loved ones with increasing needs while
experiencing reduced support services, Cllr Ian Hudspeth,
Chairman of the Local Government Association’s Community
Wellbeing Board, said:
“Our care system could not survive without the contribution of
unpaid carers, who provide vital support for thousands of people
every day. Councils fully recognise their crucial role and assess
and support hundreds of thousands of carers every year, but could
do even more with the right resources.
"Every part of the care and support sector is under intense
pressure due to the current crisis and councils are doing all
they can to support carers and those they care for through this.
“We know that caring can place a real strain on carers –
emotionally, physically and financially. The pandemic has further
highlighted the incredibly valuable role played by unpaid carers
and the difficult circumstances they face.
“The Government must use its upcoming Spending Review to urgently
provide councils with the extra funding they need to help support
unpaid carers as well as people who use services ahead of winter
and the second wave of COVID-19, while also using this as the
basis for future reform of social care and support to place it on
a long-term, sustainable footing.”
