A significant step for carers - but the important questions are still unanswered

10/06/2008

The Government has announced its 'National Strategy For Carers' - a new £255 million drive to improve the lives of carers specifically aimed at increasing the amount of respite care. But the real problem - the paltry £50 a week Carer's Allowance and the lowest benefit of its kind in the UK - has not been addressed.

The Government's ten-year plan will see £150 million invested in short breaks, and carers will be helped to stay on at work through £38 million of new funding -  with annual health checks to look after their physical and emotional health. GPs will also receive extra training to recognise the role carers play and the effects on their health. But  Imelda Redmond, Chief Executive of Carers UK, commented:

"This is a significant step forward for carers - but leaves important questions unanswered. We told the Government what changes carers wanted and are disappointed that the Government has been unable to offer immediate financial help for the hundreds of thousands of carers who rely on benefits, and many carers will be frustrated that they will have to wait again for the financial help they desperately need. We will be asking the Government to begin the review immediately."

Government figures show there are currently some 5.2 million carers in England and Wales - and 70% of care in the family is provided by women. Almost half of them provide more than 20 hours' care a week, more than a million provide more than 50 hours' care a week - and as the number of people over 85 is set to double in the next 20 years, care will become a huge issue.

Health minister, Ivan Lewis, who has not directly addressed the question of Carer's Allowance, said: "In the next decade elder care will be the new childcare and it is essential our policies properly meet the scale of the challenge.

"An extra £150m for short breaks will double the amount of respite care available over two years, £6 million will be made available to support care professionals and £38m will help carers who want to combine a job with their caring role. A further £61m will be aimed at enhancing support to voluntary organisations and ensuring NHS and social care professionals focus on the specific emotional and health needs of carers."

But why not give some of that alloted money directly to carers themselves by increasing their Carer's Allowance?


Imelda Redmond commented on the grim realities facing thousands of carers: "Many carers of working age have had to give up paid jobs and many already retired have just small incomes. Carers should have a life of their own, should not be forced into financial hardship - and should be treated with dignity and respect.

"The good news is that in a number of areas, such as employment, the strategy does take on board our advice and recommendations. The pledge to help carers access work through reforms to Jobcentre Plus will benefit many carers who wish to work, and the two million people who cease caring each year. These people will get more support and understanding as they seek to move on with their lives.

"The NHS will also be required to look after carers better. With new money for training in carer awareness, joined up working with local government and health checks for carers, we will be expecting better engagement from health professionals. We welcome the promise of a full review of carers’ benefits, and will be holding Ministers to account to deliver this vision over the next decade.”