Unpaid carers will struggle as the cost of living rises

By Helen Walker, Chief Executive, Carers UK

Unpaid carers in all our communities are suffering financial hardship like never before due to the cost of living crisis.

Carers UK’s latest survey of more than 3,000 unpaid carers shows that nearly half already can’t manage their monthly expenses and the other half are worried they will have to use a foodbank in the coming months.

Caring often comes with significant extra costs. If someone is unwell, disabled or frail, staying warm is really important.

Special foods and supplements can be costly as can running electrical hospital equipment at home.

With energy bills currently soaring and the cost of food and everyday items spiralling, we are now extremely concerned about unpaid carers who cannot make ends meet.

We are seeing unprecedented levels of stress and money worries being piled onto carers after a very challenging two years. In April, inflation could rise to 7 per cent and energy bills by a massive 50 per cent.

Without action from Government, hundreds of thousands of carers will soon be unable to cope and pushed further into debt.

You can help by asking your MP to call for urgent financial support for unpaid carers here .