I recognise the valuable contribution made by carers of all kinds - residential, domiciliary, paid, unpaid - many of whom spend a significant proportion of their life providing support to family members, friends and neighbours.
Under the last Government, progress was made to improve rights and financial support for carers. The Carer’s Allowance was increased in 2023 by 10.1 per cent, in line with inflation, from £69.70 to £76.75 per week.
The Carer’s Leave Act was also introduced to give unpaid carers the right to take unpaid leave from work to care for older, disabled or seriously ill relatives. In 2023/24, £327 million of funding was earmarked to provide short breaks and respite services for carers, as well as additional advice and support.
However, I greatly sympathise with the financial hardship that many unpaid carers continue to face, particularly in combining paid work and care responsibilities.
An estimated 5.7 million adults in the UK provide unpaid care for a friend or family member, and we must do everything we can to support them in the invaluable work they do.