Chamberlain comments on Carers Scotland report

Responding to the embargoed report by Carers Scotland, which found that 54% of carers said their physical health had suffered due to their caring role, while over a third of those on carer's allowance described their mental health as bad or very bad, Scottish Liberal Democrat deputy leader Wendy Chamberlain MP said:

“Carers are the backbone of our society, but, as this report makes clear, all too often they are undervalued and overstretched.  

“Far too many unpaid carers lack the support they desperately need. Struggling to balance caring responsibilities and work can take a heavy toll on their physical and mental wellbeing, with many being forced to leave their jobs. Although it is eventually being replaced in Scotland, the current carer's allowance is a cliff edge- the government must look at reforming it urgently.

“I believe my Carer’s Leave Act, which comes into effect next year, will kickstart a transformation by making unpaid carers entitled for the first time to take additional unpaid leave from work to help balance caring responsibilities. However, this is just the first step on the long road to ensuring that the hard work of those who care is properly valued by society."

ENDS

Notes to editors:

You can find the embargoed report here

You can find out more about Wendy Chamberlain’s Carer's Leave Act here and here