Carers UK research: Government must recognise the critical role carers play

Responding to Carers UK research putting the economic value of care provided by unpaid carers at £184 billion a year, Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Alex Cole-Hamilton MSP said:

“Despite contributing so much to our society, carers are still not getting the help they deserve.

“Family carers are the backbone of support for thousands of Scots, but just a third of them say they have the support they need.

“Thanks to the Liberal Democrats, they now have the right to Carer’s Leave, to better balance work and caring responsibilities. And thanks to Ed Davey, carers in England will now be allowed to earn more at work before they lose their Carer’s Allowance.

“They deserve the same deal here in Scotland. With Carer’s Allowance being devolved this winter, I want to see the First Minister lifting the earnings limit and ending the cliff edge that is forcing so many carers into poverty.”