On Friday 16th August 2024, alongside a group of carers, Carers UK handed in an open letter to the Prime Minister at 10 Downing Street. We, The CSPA, we’re proud to be signatories on this letter and join Carers UK in campaigning on this important issue.
From Carers UK
The letter urges the new Government to act decisively to provide the structures, mechanisms, and legislative basis for real and lasting change to improve your lives. It sets out the priorities you told us needed addressing which we feel, taken together, provide a blueprint for Government to take significant steps towards the UK being a society that recognises, values, and supports unpaid carers. Importantly, this includes the development of a new, ambitious, and comprehensive National Carers Strategy to transform the way the Government supports carers over the next 10 years.
We also called on the Government to:
- reform Carer’s Allowance and other social security payments for carers
- invest in carers’ breaks and respite services, and legislate so all carers have a right to a break in England
- make the NHS the most carer-friendly heath service in the world, with new rights and practical support
- introduce a statutory right to two weeks of paid Carer’s Leave for working carers
- recognise caring as the 10th protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010
- provide sustainable funding and investment in social care services
- support carers to manage their health and wellbeing.
Together, we have taken a decisive step to ensure that the voices of carers are heard at the highest level of Government. As we await the response from the Prime Minister, your continued support remains crucial. We have more campaigning opportunities coming up in the coming weeks and are already engaging with new Ministers across Government. We will continue to work tirelessly on your behalf to secure the changes we need to realise a future where carers are fully supported and appreciated for everything you do for our society.
For more information about the changes we would like to see the Government make in support of carers, please read the manifesto we published prior to the election!
