Responding to the Queen’s Speech today (21 June 2017), Heléna Herklots CBE, Chief Executive of Carers UK said, “We welcome the Government’s promise to create an economy that ‘works for everyone’ and this must include unpaid carers, who support family and friends who are disabled, ill or older.

The UK public does not feel that unpaid carers are sufficiently valued, according to a new online public poll published today (12 June) for the start of Carers Week.

A new online public poll published today by charity Carers UK shows consumers are missing out on the benefits of technology when it comes to supporting health and care needs.

Carers UK launches Carers Manifesto for the General ElectionFollowing the election called for 8 June, Carers UK today launches the Carers Manifesto calling on all political parties to support the UK’s 6.5 million unpaid carers and commit to improving the lives of carers.

Responding to research by the BBC today that an equivalent of 928 adult social care workers left their jobs every day between 2015 and 2016 and that the industry has a staff turnover rate of 27%, twice the average for other professions in the UK, Emily Holzhausen OBE, Director of Policy at Carers UK said:

The cross party Communities and Local Government Committee has made several significant recommendations on increasing support for families and friends providing unpaid care as part of its report on adult social care.   The Committee’s recommendations on carers include:   Extra funding is needed to enable councils to fulfil their duties to assess and support carers and, in so ...

Early introduction of recommendations could make a difference to carers’ lives now The Pensions Act 2014 requires the State Pension age to be reviewed during each Parliament. The review considers changes in life expectancy and wider changes in society. The independent State Pension Reviewer, John Cridland, has published his final report. The report highlights the impact on carers of raising the ...

Responding to the 2017 Budget, Emily Holzhausen OBE, Policy Director at Carers UK said:

Responding to new research from Age UK showing the high numbers of older people going without the care and support they need and the impact of this on their health and wellbeing, as well as on the families and the NHS, Emily Holzhausen OBE, Director of Policy at Carers UK said:

The Goverment has published a new White Paper on Housing; Fixing our broken housing market. The policy proposals aim to address a range of issues with the operation of the UK's housing market and the increase in the kind of homes needed to meet the needs of our population.

Today (2nd February) the Government has published a new strategy to encourage businesses to retain, retrain and recruit older workers. Fuller Working Lives: a partnership approach sets out the case for action and what the employers and the Government can do to support older workers including those who are juggling work and care or seeking to return to the labour ...

Responding to the Care Minister, David Mowat MP’s, comments to Communities and Local Government Select Committee on adult social care funding, Chief Executive of Carers UK, Heléna Herklots, CBE, said:

The Secretary of State for Community and Local Government has announced that the Government will not go ahead with proposals it consulted on to devolve responsibility for delivering the older people’s disability benefit, Attendance Allowance, to local authorities in England. 

Today (Friday, 30 December 2016), Heléna Herklots, Chief Executive of Carers UK was awarded a CBE in the 2017 Queen’s New Year’s Honours list in recognition of her work for carers. 

Responding to the Provisional Local Government Finance Settlement, Heléna Herklots, Chief Executive of Carers UK, said:

As part of a Written Ministerial Statement the Government has today announced it is making a change to the Carer’s Allowance Earnings Rule.

Those looking after older or disabled loved ones are missing out on vital practical and financial support with disastrous consequences for their own health and finances, according to new findings released today (25 November) on Carers Rights Day by Carers UK.

Responding to the Autumn Statement, Heléna Herklots, Chief Executive of Carers UK, said:

Responding to Age UK’s report Working later, waiting longer: The impact of rising State Pension age, Heléna Herklots, Chief Executive of Carers UK said:

Today, in a landmark ruling, the Supreme Court has ruled in favour of two families providing care to disabled loved ones, stating they should be exempt from the ‘Bedroom Tax’.