What needs to change?

Carers want the same life chances that other people enjoy - good health, financial security, the right to a family life and opportunities to work and pursue their own interests.

But the reality for many carers is vastly different. Extra costs of disability and charges for services, make carers financially worse off. Poor alternative care provision results in many carers being forced to give up work. Carers' own health suffers because they are forced to carry on caring without the right back up from services.

At the root of many of the barriers encountered by carers are the inequalities faced by the person they care for. Many disabled people are unable to lead independent lives due to poor access and inadequate support services. Age discrimination means that many older people face barriers to health and social care services. This, together with other inequalities, puts unnecessary strain on the carer and restricts their lives.

Five areas where Carers UK is calling for change are

Rights and recognition
Most people caring for a relative or friend are unaware that they are a carer and that they have rights. We want to see their rights improved so that carers have better support and opportunities in life, including work.
Tackling poverty
3 out of 4 carers say they have become financially worse off since becoming a carer. Despite saving the country £57 billion each year, carers are on the lowest benefit of it's kind. We are campaigning for changes to the tax and benefits system to ensure that carers are not left in poverty as a result of caring.
Right to work
One in five employees has reduced or given up their work because of caring responsibilities. We are working to ensure that barriers to work are removed so that carers have more choice about juggling work and care.
Healthy lives
Three out of four carers say their health is worse since becoming a carer. People with a caring responsibility are twice as likely to end up permanently disabled. We want carers to have enough support, which is right for them - making caring safer, protecting health and giving carers' choices and opportunities in life.
Carers as partners
Carers provide the bulk of care in the community yet many are not involved in key decisions about care. We are campaigning for carers to have a say in how services are provided and are valued for what they do.

Page Last Modified: 17/07/2008

What needs to change?

Five areas where Carers UK is calling for change are

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