Source · Select Committees · Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee
Recommendation 29
29
Acknowledged
Paragraph: 128
Our broken care system is held up by unpaid carers doing vital work out of...
Conclusion
Our broken care system is held up by unpaid carers doing vital work out of love and pride. The cost to them can be financial, physical, and emotional. The cost to our economy of carers leaving the workforce is over £3 billion each year—money that could be invested in adult social care. We recognise that some of the proposals in the White Paper will benefit carers, such as around technology and innovation. However, we think that £25 million over three years is a totally inadequate amount to allocate to initiatives to support carers, whose contribution to the UK economy is estimated by Carers UK at £132 billion a year. £25 million will do little to assure carers that their contribution is valued by the Government.
Government Response Summary
The government recognizes the vital role of unpaid carers and the importance of supporting them and highlights the Care Act 2014 and Better Care Fund (BCF) as ways they are providing support, and will look to improve the clarity and transparency of spend on unpaid carers through BCF reporting requirements and activity data.
Paragraph Reference:
128
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
Our 10-year white paper reform vision puts people at the centre of adult social care and aims to make sure that those who draw on care and support as well as unpaid carers have the choice, control and support they need to live independent lives; can access outstanding quality and tailored care and support; and find adult social care fair and accessible. We recognise the vital role that unpaid carers play in our communities, and we all owe them a debt of gratitude. The Care Act 2014 requires local authorities to deliver a wide range of sustainable high-quality care and support services, including support for unpaid carers. Local authorities are required to undertake a Carer’s Assessment for any unpaid carer who appears to have a need for support and to meet their eligible needs on request from the carer. Since 2015, the Better Care Fund (BCF) has enabled local NHS services and local government to jointly invest in a range of preventative services, including supporting unpaid carers. In 2022–23, £291.7 million of BCF funding has been earmarked to provide short breaks and respite services for carers, as well as additional advice and support for carers. The 2023–25 BCF Policy Framework and Planning Requirements will be published in spring 2023, and we will look to improve the clarity and transparency of spend on unpaid carers through BCF reporting requirements and activity data. As our Next Steps to Put People at the Heart of Care plan confirmed, we will also be investing up to an additional £25 million for unpaid carers, in line with the funding commitment in the white paper. Further detail will be set out in due course. In addition,