Daily Express

Army of unpaid carers are saving nation £139bn-a-year

- By Sarah O’Grady Social Affairs Correspond­ent

PEOPLE taking care of their frail or sick loved ones are saving British taxpayers £139billion-a-year, research has revealed.

The total value of informal care is nearly as large as the nation’s entire health spending of £144billion and stands at nearly eight times total spending on adult social care.

The number of people looking after relatives or friends at home has grown to reach almost eight million, according to analysis by think tank Demos.

Twelve per cent of the UK population – 7.98 million people – will provide some form of care in the UK this year.

Chris Knight, chief executive officer at insurance giant Legal & General, which commission­ed the research, said: “Millions of informal carers play a crucial part in the long-term care system.

“The reality of everyday care, where paid and unpaid carers work alongside the NHS, is not reflected in the current very complicate­d benefits and support system.

“We are calling for a long-term care system that better recognises the incredible contributi­on of informal carers.

“The Government is right to focus on formal provision in its review of care policy. But if we are to create a better long-term care system, we must also recognise the vital role sons and daughters, mothers and fathers, husbands and wives, partners, even friends play in helping their loved ones.

“It might be ‘informal’, but this is care that for thousands of people across the UK, is very much valued.”

The Government is currently working towards its new policy on long-term care needed by pensioners either in a care home or in their own home.

However the Care Green Paper is not due before autumn after a series of delays.

Although the NHS is set to receive a 70th birthday present of a £20billion-a-year spending boost, the adult social care budget faces a £3.5billion funding gap by 2025.

The Legal & General report says the reality of everyday care, where paid and unpaid carers work alongside the NHS, is not reflected in the current complicate­d system.

Lord Best, chairman of the allparty parliament­ary group Housing And Care For Older People, said: “Decisions are due from Government soon on paying for formal care, but measures to support and enhance the input of family and friends need recognitio­n and appreciati­on.

“If just one-eighth of informal care dried up, the cost to the state would be equivalent to a doubling of current NHS spending on formal care.”

Imperative

Almost one million unpaid carers are receiving less help today than they were last year even though their loved ones’ health condition has worsened, according to recent research by the charity Carers UK.

Helena Herklots, its chief executive, said: “It’s imperative that the huge contributi­on made by unpaid carers is also recognised.

“Despite the fact that the NHS and social care sector rely heavily on family and friends, we know that carers feel devastatin­gly undervalue­d and unsupporte­d.”

 ??  ?? Lord Best wants carers recognised
Lord Best wants carers recognised

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