More financial support needed to lift London’s unpaid carers out of poverty

Data shows that around over a third (34%) of unpaid carers aged 25-44 are currently living in poverty.¹

Unpaid carers often struggle with the cost of living in London. The capital’s elevated cost of living compared to other parts of the country affects all Londoners to some extent. 

However, being an unpaid carer makes it even more difficult to manage, with unpaid carers typically incurring extra costs, such as heating, specialist food, transport, parking, medication, or private medical appointments.

The London Assembly Economy, Culture and Skills Committee has today published its report – London’s unpaid carers – calling for more financial support for London’s unpaid carers.

The Committee is calling for Transport for London (TfL) to carry out an assessment to identify options for reducing the cost of transport for unpaid carers in London, and for government to conduct a comprehensive review of the Carer’s Allowance, with a view to increasing the amount carers are entitled to.

Other key recommendations in the report include:

• The Mayor should convene multi-academy trusts and schools in London and encourage them to join the Young Carers in Schools programme.
• The Government should put in a place ring-fenced and multi-year funding settlement for carer support services in London within the Better Care Fund or any successor fund by the end of this Parliament.

Hina Bokhari OBE AM, Chair of the London Assembly Economy, Culture and Skills Committee, said:

“Supporting a loved one when they need us most shouldn’t put people at risk of poverty.

“We are all feeling the impact of the cost of living, but unpaid carers are facing even higher levels of financial hardship, due to a lack of financial support.

“Research suggests that unpaid carers across the UK provide care worth around £184 billion every year – equivalent to the entire NHS budget. Without them, our health and social care systems would collapse.

“Yet unpaid carers continue to face financial hardship, and in many instances, are living in poverty just to help their loved ones live their daily lives.

“Anyone could become a carer, if a relative becomes unwell or disabled, and often it is unexpected and challenging. Carers are unsung heroes, who put their loved ones first, many giving up their careers and independence.

“We need to see more financial support for our unpaid carers, and through our investigation, speaking directly to unpaid carers and experts, providing reduced transport costs could have a significantly positive impact.

“The Mayor and government must seriously consider our recommendations, and give our unpaid carers the support they need. It’s time we start caring for our carers.”