Bates takes action to help young carers (Montgomeryshire Liberal Democrats)

Cymraeg
English

Montgomeryshire Liberal Democrats <montlibdems@gmail.com>

Bates takes action to help young carers

December 4, 2008 12:00 AM

Commenting ahead of Carers Rights Day on December 5th, Montgomeryshire AM Mick Bates states:

"As someone who was a young carer I know the value of supporting carers and I have deep respect for the work of Powys Carers Service. The hard work and dedication of young carers is invaluable and I deeply admire the time and support that they give to dependent members in their family."

Alarming new statistics released today (Thursday 4th December 2008) by the campaigning organisation Carers UK, reveal that the nation's carers are under even more pressure as living costs rise and the economic crisis affects ever more families. Nine in ten (86%) say their financial position is worse than 12 months ago. Yet they provide vital support, unpaid, for their elderly, sick or disabled relatives, making a contribution worth £87 billion a year to the UK economy.

Commenting Mick added: "It is shocking that carers are not decently rewarded for their tremendous work. A carer's allowance is as low as £50.55 per week - just £1.44 per hour for those caring for 35 hours per week. In these cold winter months, over two-thirds of carers are living in fuel poverty, over half in debt and over half are cutting back on essentials like food or heating to make ends meet.

"This situation simply cannot continue. I am calling on the UK Government to urgently review and overhaul the Carer's Allowance and other benefits for carers and to publish a plan and timetable to fulfil the promises in the National Carers Strategy, so that the increasingly crucial work of young carers in our communities across the country is given the recognition and reward that it deserves."

Notes:

Half of all carers are cutting back on food just to make ends meet, more than double the rate only a year ago (52% in 2008 compared to 19% in 2007). 32% of those paying a rent or mortgage say they cannot afford to pay it. Three quarters (74%) are struggling to pay utility bills - up from 33% last year, with 65% in fuel poverty (paying more than 10% of their income on fuel bills). 78% cannot afford essential repairs to the home.

Ends/Diwedd