Helen Walker, Chief Executive of Carers UK, said:
“We very much welcome this announcement by the Government to address the social care crisis through both short-term measures and for the future.
“There are 4.7 million people in England providing a staggering £152 billion worth of unpaid care to a family member, friend or neighbour who is affected by long-term illness, disability or age. Many are under increasing pressure to provide more hours of care than ever before. Without unpaid carers, our health and social care systems would collapse, yet the current lack of support or recognition for what they do is increasingly damaging their health and forcing many to give up their jobs.
“We are encouraged to see that the Government has recognised the need to ensure that unpaid carers and their families are central to the upcoming consultation and look forward to engaging with the work led by Baroness Louise Casey.
“As part of the first phase we must see quick and decisive action on any recommendations brought forward by the Commission to improve social care, and Government must ensure that there is sufficient funding in this forthcoming Spending Review to deliver and to prevent further cuts in social care.
“We also need to see discussions on longer term sustainable funding for social care started as soon as practicably possible so that we are not left with open-ended questions on the future reform of social care as we have done in the past.
“Carers UK has long called for a new social contract with carers which is fit for the 21st century and this needs to be recognised in any National Care Service. We want to see an ambitious and comprehensive cross-Government national carers strategy to transform the way that unpaid carers are supported by government, with local authorities and the NHS working together to ensure unpaid carers get the support and recognition they so desperately need.”