By Ricki Lake
Being a carer is hard work. We are not in practise protected by the 48-hour rule, nor health and safety laws. The Government has launched a green paper on caring for older people but help for carers is thin on the ground: adults receive just £53 per week. For such a valuable contribution, is that fair?
Even more concerning is that many of our carers are children – themselves amongst the most vulnerable in society. They have to balance their own education with the difficult job of caring for loved ones, while also trying to live a “normal” life. There are support groups for child carers but the problem is often that – when caring for a relative for 24 hours day – there is just no time to attend.
So my challenge to ministers and readers of this blog is: what more can we do to help carers?
More from LabourList
‘In facing up to the country’s problems, Labour needs to draw the line with the Conservatives on tax and spend’
Momentum co-chair and deputy council chief quit Labour over party direction
‘Tremendous results but more work to do’, says Labour campaign coordinator Pat McFadden