Struggling unpaid carers 'not aware' of support

London's "hidden" unpaid carers are struggling as they are unaware they can get financial help and access to services, experts have told City Hall.

Around 7.8% of Londoners provided unpaid care to people around them due to health conditions or old age at the time of the 2021 census.

And 29% of carers in the capital were in poverty in 2021-22, according to Carers UK - a higher proportion than 21% of Londoners in poverty.

Some of this is due to unpaid carers not being aware of benefits they are entitled to, including the Carer's Allowance (CA), which can provide up to £83.30 a week, with others not considering themselves as carers at all.

David Walker, the CEO of Bromley Third Sector Enterprise, told the London Assembly Economy, Culture and Skills Committee that people who looked after their partner or child with an illness or disability often did not realise they classified as a carer.

He said professionals such as social prescribers should actively tell people who are carers that they are entitled to support.

"Very often, those people don't realise that they get that support," Walker said.

Unpaid carers are entitled to CA and respite care through their local authority, though experts suggested neither were sufficient.

According to Carers UK, 62% of people in receipt of CA live in poverty, and respite care, where an unpaid carer can take a break while a substitute comes in for a period of time, has become less generous as local authorities continue to slash budgets.

Mike Rich, CEO at Barnet Carers, told the committee there needed to be better communication about what carers are entitled to, adding: "Carers have a significant amount of financial restraint on them. I don't think there is enough clarity."

There are also concerns local authorities provide wrong information about carer's rights.

Committee chair Hina Bokhari said a recent report by MoneySavingExpert.com found that at least 69 councils in England and Wales displayed incorrect criteria for those potentially eligible for a reduction on their council tax bill.

Walker added that following a recent survey conducted by his organisation, 98% of respondents said they needed help to fill in forms as they were "inaccessible".

Care chiefs suggested a "positive" awareness campaign spearheaded by City Hall would make a "real difference" to many lives.

Carla Brain, of Enfield Carers Centre, welcomed the idea people would know if they had crossed over from family member into this role.

A spokesperson for the Mayor of London told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that unpaid carers "make an enormous contribution to life in London".

"It is unacceptable that anyone doing this incredible work faces additional financial hardship," they said.

"The social care system is under huge strain after more than a decade of underfunding, and the mayor has welcomed the steps government have already taken to provide additional support to unpaid carers.

"Sadiq is committed to doing all he can to support Londoners, including creating the Cost of Living Hub which provides dedicated information about financial rights and entitlements and links to support."

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