Lib Dems call for emergency funding to give local carers a break
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North MP Jamie Stone is among those campaigning to provide emergency funding to give carers in his constituency a break from dramatically increased caring responsibilities during the Covid pandemic.
According to the 2011 census 5940 people in Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross were looking after elderly, disabled or vulnerable people. Data from Carers UK shows 64 per cent of carers have not been able to take any sort of a break during the pandemic.
The call from the Liberal Democrats to give councils immediate emergency funding so they can provide the support services unpaid carers need to take a weekly break comes during Carers Week – an annual campaign to recognise the contribution of unpaid carers across the UK
Mr Stone, a carer himself for his wife Flora, said: “People in Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross looking after their loved ones are doing a remarkable and important job in very difficult circumstances.
“Unpaid carers have taken on dramatically increased caring responsibilities during this pandemic. Most haven’t been able to take a single break since the pandemic started. Most are simply exhausted. I am really lucky to have a brilliant support system and a job that allows me to fulfil my caring responsibilities, but not everyone is in my position.
“That is why I am so pleased that for Carers Week, my party and I are campaigning for our wonderful carers in the Highlands to be given a break.”
At the start of Carers Week, Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey MP said: “This pandemic has shown that we are a nation of carers. But people looking after their loved ones are still too often forgotten and ignored by people in power.
“The Government must finally recognise the enormous contribution that unpaid carers make, and give them the support they deserve.
“Liberal Democrats are standing up for carers and working to build a more caring society as we emerge from this pandemic.”
Related article: Online information and support highlighted during Carers Week
