"State of emergency" declared for UK's carers
03/09/2008
The National Carers Forum, in conjunction with Carer Watch and Justice For Carers, have declared a state of Carer Emergency. They claim that this has been brought on as the result the government's refusal to heed the advice of the various committees they have commissioned - as well as the latest rejection of the Task Force recommendations.
They are asking for immediate financial help of at least the £1000 - as suggested by the Task Force - payable to all carers eligible for Carer’s Allowance, and carers with the under lying entitlement. They want this payment not as a substitute for weekly payments, but in addition to benefits - and disregarded in the calculation of income- related payments.
Currently, thousands of carers are facing severe financial difficulites. Many are in utter despair at the lack of action from the government to address carer poverty - and because of the increase in fuel prices and the overall cost of living, carers and their families are facing extreme financial hardship this coming winter.
In their "Short Change" campaign, Carers UK clearly outlined this situation, yet they say the has Government has so far shown no intention of giving carers help at some time in the future when the whole benefit system is reviewed. This is especially unacceptable because many carers who work long hours caring do not see themselves as benefit claimants and want to be considered separately.
The financial treatment of carers seems particularly harsh in the light of the fact that the government has offered financial help to "hard working families" and claims that they "recognise the great personal commitment of people who care for severely disabled relatives, friends or neighbours".
To find out more about the National Carers Forum please take a look at their introductory video on YouTube - linked below.
For more information about the NCF go to the second link below or
email: admin@nationalcarersforum.co.uk