Carers UK responds to research published today by Macmillan Cancer Support, which shows that around 110,000 people in the UK are caring for a parent with cancer, whilst also looking after their own children [1].

Today, Carers UK has renewed its warning that devolving Attendance Allowance to local authorities could result in fewer disabled people and carers in the future being able to access vital benefits and consequent financial and practical support they desperately need.

NHS Digital, formerly the Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC), has today published its Personal Social Services Adult Social Care Survey, England, 2015-16 [1]. The survey seeks to learn about how effectively services are helping people to live safely and independently in their own homes, and the impact that these services are having on their quality of life.

Today, The King’s Fund and Nuffield Trust have published their joint report, Social care for older people – Home Truths, which looks at the current state of social care services for people aged over 65 in England.

Carers UK has set out its vision of a society that respects, values and supports carers, calling on the Government to be bold as it develops its new strategy to improve the lives of those caring unpaid for older, disabled and seriously ill family members and friends.

Charity warns that failure to address housing challenges for carers is a national health issue

Age UK and Carers UK call for fresh approach to support those juggling work and unpaid care Download report Walking the tightrope » Caring for as little as five hours a week can have a significant impact on employment prospects, with those caring for more than 10 hours a week at marked risk of leaving the labour market altogether[1], costing the ...

Carers UK warns that without urgent and significant investment in social care, the consequences for families, the NHS and the viability of care providers are potentially devastating. 

Carers UK has expressed concern in response to the Government’s consultation on Business Rates which includes consulting on transferring the budget and responsibility for Attendance Allowance, the main benefit for disabled older people, to local government in England. Carers UK welcomes the Local Government Association’s statement that councils do not want responsibility for administering the payment [1].

Carers UK welcomes a new review, published today by  the Carers Trust and former care minister Professor Paul Burstow, which indicates that the new rights for carers introduced by the Care Act are far from being realised.

The life chances of many of the 6.5 million people in the UK who care, unpaid, for a disabled, older or ill family member or friend, are being damaged by inadequate support from local services, according to new research launched today for Carers Week 2016.1 

Today, the Care Quality Commission published its 5 Year Strategy from 2016-2021, setting out its ambition for a more targeted, responsive and collaborative approach to regulation, so that more people can receive high-quality care.

Carers UK is calling for the Government, local authorities and health bodies to redouble their efforts to support England’s 5.4 million unpaid carers, as new research from the charity reveals how a perfect storm of squeezed public services and financial pressures is pushing carers to the brink.1

Last night, during the Third Reading of the Housing and Planning Bill, the Government announced they would allow carers to have longer tenancies in council housing, in response to an amendment tabled by Baroness Lister earlier in the parliamentary process. Carers UK today welcomed the new commitment but still urged the Government to look more closely at effects of ...

Today, the Women and Equalities Select Committee has published its report on the Gender Pay Gap [1]. The report recommends the introduction of a period of care leave, alongside other measures to support carers in work. Carers UK submitted evidence which is included in the report [2].

Responding to the Government’s announcement that it will not be proceeding with proposed changes to qualification for the Daily Living Component of the Personal Independent Payment (PIP), Carers UK’s Director of Policy, Emily Holzhausen said:

Following the news that the Government wants to change the way the disability living component of Personal Independence Payments (PIP) is calculated from January 2017, Carers UK is calling on the Government to carry out an urgent impact assessment to better understand the effect these changes will have on carers. 

From today, carers in England will be able to have their say on the important support services they need to care well for both themselves and their loved ones.

Responding to the Chancellor’s Budget today, Heléna Herklots, CEO of Carers UK expressed concern about the future of support for carers and their families:

CARERS WEEK: 6-12 JUNE 2016 Today, Carers UK and six other major charities launched Carers Week 2016 – a nationwide awareness campaign to improve public understanding about caring and the unique challenges carers face. Carers Week will run from 6-12 June 2016.