Helen Walker, chief executive at Carers UK, said:

“With its focus on tax cuts, it’s bitterly disappointing that the Government has - yet again - failed to acknowledge the devastating impact the lack of funding for health and social care services is having on millions of unpaid carers supporting older and disabled family members.

“Unpaid carers have been bearing the immense physical, mental and financial strain of providing increasing hours of unpaid care with limited support for far too long. Many cannot take breaks and every day, 600 people give up paid work to provide that care, which has disastrous consequences for their finances and the wider economy.

“While the Government has increased benefits in line with the higher rate of inflation and retained the triple lock, carers desperately needed to see a higher rate of Carer’s Allowance and earnings limit. 75% of unpaid carers receiving the allowance are struggling with cost-of-living pressures.

“Today’s Autumn Statement was one of the Government’s last opportunities to deliver for hard-pressed carers in urgent need of support. It must do the right thing for carers and the economy by prioritising long-term, sustainable investment in social care.”