Supporting Carers: investing in human values to stergthen the NHS & Social care
It’s often said – and rightly so – that family carers are vital and deeply valued. But there’s a crucial point often overlooked: in this country, becoming a carer is a choice, not a legal obligation. The Care Act 2014 mandates that the government meets the needs of its people, yet countless individuals willingly take on the role of being carers for their loved ones, sparing the state the full responsibility. This selfless decision deserves recognition and respect, as carers provide an invaluable service, saving the UK a staggering £162 billion each year – that’s £445 million a day (Petrillo and Bennett, 2023; Carers UK). Given this, why do we continually declare that carers are essential – both socially and economically – yet invest so little in their support? The government’s expenditure on carer’s allowance amounts to just £3.8 billion annually, a stark contrast to the immense value carers provide. This discrepancy highlights a lack of real commitment to those who shoulder the burde
