Carers Rights Day: Kerry Urges Carers to Seek Support

The MP for Bristol, Kerry McCarthy MP, has lent their support to Carers UK’s national carers’ rights campaign, urging people caring for ill or disabled loved ones to access all the support they are entitled to.

The focus of Carers Rights Day 2011 is making sure that carers have clear information and advice about the support which is available to them. There are around 6.4 million unpaid carers in the UK who provide care support to family, friends and neighbours, saving the country an estimated £119 billion each year. Carers Rights Day, run each year by Carers UK, seeks to increase the take-up of carer’s benefits and raise awareness of carers’ rights and the support which is available.

On average just under 10,000 carers in each parliamentary constituency. Carers UK’s research has found that nearly three quarters are financially worse-off as a result of caring, with many living in financial hardship. Many carers simply do not realise that they are entitled to financial help, or struggle to understand the information they are given. They may also be missing out on key financial support, including Carer’s Allowance or help with Council Tax.

While visiting the Vassall Centre in her constituency, Kerry McCarthy said: "Carers are fulfilling a vital role in our society, but too often they go without the support they need. We all need to play a role in helping to identify people who are looking after ill, frail or disabled loved ones and make sure they are accessing all the financial and practical support they can.”

Carers UK has urged carers to get in touch with its helpline CarersLine (0808 808 7777 or www.carersuk.org).

Emily Holzhausen, Director of Policy at Carers UK said: “Nearly three quarters of carers are financially worse-off as a result of caring, with many falling into financial hardship and debt. Yet around £840 million per year in carers benefits go unclaimed. In this tough economic climate, it is crucial that carers receive clear information on what they are entitled to, and how to claim it.”

Carers can order a free booklet called Looking after someone: a guide to carers’ rights and benefits  from Carers UK by visiting www.carersuk.org or calling the freephone hotline on 0808 808 7777.