As the Carer Poverty Commission publishes its final report, this feels like a perilous time for many carers. Already, 1 in 4 live in poverty. Many feel isolated and unseen. They save the Northern Ireland Executive £5.8 billion every year in care costs, but so often are forced to do so by sacrificing their own wellbeing and health, and their current and future financial security. 

This week the UK Parliament votes on legislation that may lead to huge cuts to social security support for disabled people and carers in the future. If these cuts go ahead, the resulting reduction in the block grant for the Northern Ireland could force similar cuts to support for disabled people and carers here.

The contribution unpaid carers made to society and the economy is inarguable but too often invisible – unacknowledged and overlooked.

The Carer Poverty Commission came together to examine the scale and drivers of poverty among unpaid carers in Northern Ireland and to provide fresh thinking and practical policy solutions to address it. We’re so grateful for the incredible range of expertise and experience that we have been able to draw on for this work, and most of all to the carers who have shared their experiences, insights and wisdom with us so generously.

The Commission’s detailed analysis has shown that shockingly high rates of poverty are driven by too little support for carers to remain in the workplace, by a social security system is failing to provide even a basic level of protection from severe hardship and by social care and childcare systems that leave unpaid carers without the support they urgently need.

Our work has shown both the urgent need for action and the hope that comes from knowing we have the policy tools to hand to change this situation and bring enormous benefits not only to carers themselves, but to Northern Ireland’s economy, businesses and the public purse.

The Commission’s recommendations included:

• Improving financial support for carers, through increasing support through Carer’s Allowance and introducing additional payments to help with essential costs and support people caring for multiple people.
  
  
• Making it easier for carers to combine paid work with caring by letting carers keep more of their earnings before reducing Carer’s Allowance and increasing access to carers leave and flexible work.
  
  
• Increasing support for young carers, including introducing a Young Carer Payment, Young Carer Educational Activities Grants to support families with the costs of school trips or extra-curricular activities, and more work placements and training schemes to support young adult carers to enter the labour market.

In a context where many are fearful that support may be reduced rather than improved, we have the opportunity in Northern Ireland to set a new course. To chart a path forward to a future where carers are valued and their contribution is properly recognised rather than being rewarded with poverty and the sacrifice of their own health.

Helen Barnard,
Chair of the Carer Poverty Commission