Charity urges all political parties to take action before 'tipping point for care' is reached
On the day of the care conference called by Secretary of State for Health, Andy Burnham MP, to try to find political consensus on the reform of social care, Carers UK is calling upon government, employers, public services, communities and families to sign up to a new social contract before a tipping point for care is reached in 2017 that risks plunging families and the UK economy into disaster.
Demographic change is one of the greatest challenges facing our society and our economy. More people are living longer and living longer with disability and greater numbers are now entering retirement than are entering the labour market. Unless we take action now, the care needed by older people is likely to outstrip what families currently provide by 20172 - this is the tipping point for care. Unless more services are provided in a way that really helps families, more people will be unable to work. New research from Birmingham University sets out some of these risks - families will be less likely to be in work and will miss out on an estimated £750 million to £1.5 billion in earnings each year if there is not sufficient investment in care.
Around one million people have given up work to care (Ipsos MORI) - one in six people with caring responsibilities. Those providing significant amounts of care are twice as likely to suffer ill-health and those providing care over long periods of time are far more likely to be in receipt of means-tested benefits. Every day, over 6,000 people take on a caring role for a family member or friend, unpaid, and there are a staggering six million people providing this care throughout the UK.
Imelda Redmond, Chief Executive of Carers UK, said, "It is time that we think completely differently about how care is provided and about supporting families who do decide to provide care, unpaid. With constraint on public finances, it is critical that we all work together to ensure that families and individuals are given the support they need, so that they can meet the challenges of managing chronic illness and disability."
She added, "Carers are looking to all political parties to provide a strong lead - but every other public service, our communities and employers and even our families have a role to play. Our social contract sets out this vision."
The social contract recommends:
· A nationally determined entitlement to care and support which recognises the contributions of families and carers
· A funding system for care which is fair and transparent.
· Flexibility and support from employers to provide workplaces that meet both business needs and the needs of families and individuals to juggle work and care.
· A tax and benefits system which prevents financial hardship, recognises families' contribution to care and gives carers the flexibility and security to juggle care and working lives.
· Communities which better understand and respond to the impacts of disability, chronic illness, age and caring on people's lives, supported by public services - health, care, transport, housing, education, leisure - that enhance family life.
Carers UK will be publishing its policy manifesto shortly giving political parties a road map for how a new Government could deliver on this social contract.
Caring Business
On the day of the care conference called by Secretary of State for Health, Andy Burnham MP, to try to find political consensus on the reform of social care, Carers UK is calling upon government, employers, public services, communities and families to sign up to a new social contract before a tipping point for care is reached in 2017 that risks plunging families and the UK economy into disaster.
Demographic change is one of the greatest challenges facing our society and our economy. More people are living longer and living longer with disability and greater numbers are now entering retirement than are entering the labour market. Unless we take action now, the care needed by older people is likely to outstrip what families currently provide by 20172 - this is the tipping point for care. Unless more services are provided in a way that really helps families, more people will be unable to work. New research from Birmingham University sets out some of these risks - families will be less likely to be in work and will miss out on an estimated £750 million to £1.5 billion in earnings each year if there is not sufficient investment in care.
Around one million people have given up work to care (Ipsos MORI) - one in six people with caring responsibilities. Those providing significant amounts of care are twice as likely to suffer ill-health and those providing care over long periods of time are far more likely to be in receipt of means-tested benefits. Every day, over 6,000 people take on a caring role for a family member or friend, unpaid, and there are a staggering six million people providing this care throughout the UK.
Imelda Redmond, Chief Executive of Carers UK, said, "It is time that we think completely differently about how care is provided and about supporting families who do decide to provide care, unpaid. With constraint on public finances, it is critical that we all work together to ensure that families and individuals are given the support they need, so that they can meet the challenges of managing chronic illness and disability."
She added, "Carers are looking to all political parties to provide a strong lead - but every other public service, our communities and employers and even our families have a role to play. Our social contract sets out this vision."
The social contract recommends:
· A nationally determined entitlement to care and support which recognises the contributions of families and carers
· A funding system for care which is fair and transparent.
· Flexibility and support from employers to provide workplaces that meet both business needs and the needs of families and individuals to juggle work and care.
· A tax and benefits system which prevents financial hardship, recognises families' contribution to care and gives carers the flexibility and security to juggle care and working lives.
· Communities which better understand and respond to the impacts of disability, chronic illness, age and caring on people's lives, supported by public services - health, care, transport, housing, education, leisure - that enhance family life.
Carers UK will be publishing its policy manifesto shortly giving political parties a road map for how a new Government could deliver on this social contract.
Caring Business
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