In a Statement made in Parliament today, the Chancellor laid out the Government’s financial commitments as Covid-19 restrictions are eased. Government’s financial support through the furlough scheme is due to be reduced on 1st August 2020.
Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK, said:
“While the jobs and livelihoods of some groups of people have been rightly supported by the Government during this pandemic, the additional financial strain on unpaid carers continues to go unacknowledged.
“81% of unpaid carers – many of them caring round the clock without any outside support - are having to meet the rising costs as a result of the crisis and on a very limited income. The Chancellor should have used his Statement to acknowledge the huge pressure on unpaid carers by increasing Carer’s Allowance, the lowest benefit of its kind. We are deeply disappointed that he didn’t and hope he will rectify this and give it proper consideration ahead of the Comprehensive Spending Review.
“With as many as 7.7 million workers now currently trying to juggle their jobs with caring responsibilities, it is also disappointing that the Chancellor did not set out any specific measures to help this huge swathe of the UK workforce.
“These workers need support to continue to stay in work, and those who are currently unable to work because care and support services are closed or the person they care for is shielding must have their jobs protected.’