Economy, Culture and Skills report: London’s unpaid carers

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

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.