Shadow Minister for Social Care, Janet Finch-Saunders MS, has called on the Welsh Government to provide more support to Wales’ unpaid carers. She said:

“At present an estimated 79% of unpaid carers in Wales are providing more care for their loved ones – with many of them picking up an additional 11 hours of unpaid care per week.

“So whilst I welcome the announcement of a task and finish group, and the expectation that local authorities are to maintain the rights provided under the 2014 Act, I am afraid there is much more work the Welsh Government needs to urgently carry out to support our fantastic unpaid carers, who’re working round the clock to keep society’s most vulnerable safe from harm.

“To prevent our unpaid carers from burning out, I urge the Welsh Government to provide vital levels of funding to our local authorities, to help them maintain carers’ rights and promote help available to our increasing number of unpaid champions who are feeling overwhelmed.

“What I am calling for is positive action to ease the burden on our unpaid carers."

ENDS