Local carers saving UK £462,000 a year

More support is needed, says charity

CARERS in Oldham looking after sick or disabled relatives are saving the UK hundreds of thousands of pounds.

New figures from charity Carers UK revealed that Oldham’s estimated 24,122 unpaid carers will provide care worth an estimated £462,200 this year.

That is a 28 per cent rise from the £360,000 in 2007.

Across the North-West, 770,000 carers each save the state an average of £18,473 a year — an annual total of £14.8 billion — and nationally, friends and relatives save the UK around £119 billion in care costs.

The charity is urging society to do more to support the growing numbers of carers.

Chief executive Imelda Redmond CBE said: “Our society and public services could not function without the massive contribution made by over six million carers in the UK.

“This contribution is something we can be proud of as a country, and demonstrates how strong our families and communities are.

“With an ageing population, caring is becoming a fact of life for every family.

“Yet, while families are meeting this challenge, many are struggling with little or no help, or facing cuts to the care services and benefits they rely on.

“Unless we urgently rethink how our society supports carers, we will see increasing numbers pushed to breaking point, forced out of work and into poverty, ill-health and isolation.

“These figures send a clear message — carers contribute so much and they deserve better in return.”

The charity is calling for an urgent review of Carer’s Allowance, which is the lowest benefit of its kind.

It also wants the Government to re-evaluate cuts to disability benefits and councils to protect funding for social care.

Councillor Philip Harrison, Oldham’s new cabinet member for adults and health, will be meeting all carer organisations in the borough over the next three weeks to discuss their needs.

He said: “I’ve always believed that carers save a fortune to strategic services that we have to deliver.

“The issue of keeping people at home is a very important matter as it saves them going into the care system.

“In terms of allowances, the main focus will be on getting people more advice and professional help to get their benefits raised.”

Paul Cassidy, assistant executive director of people, communities and society, said Oldham Council has made a commitment to consult with unpaid carers before any changes are made to provision.

He said: “Over the last months we have invested an extra £120,000 to provide carers with individual budgets.

“Funding for carers services has not seen the reductions experienced elsewhere as a consequence of loss of funding from central government.

“We will continue to work with Oldham Princess Royal Trust Carers Centre and The Carers Advisory Group to ensure that vulnerable people remain independent and are treated with dignity.

“We will also ensure unpaid carers receive the vital support they require enabling them to live healthy, valued and supported lives alongside their caring responsibilities.”