Vital services for carers could go “to the wall” due to the Government’s hike in employer National Insurance contributions, according to the Carers Trust.
The charity said its network of more than 130 local carer organisations could now face a massive £3.3m bill that will force many centres to reduce their services, reduce staff, and help fewer carers than before. Combined with an increase in the living wage, the changes will cost the network £7.5m overall.
The rise, which went into effect this week, comes as unpaid carers are also facing massive benefit cuts.
Local carer organisations provide vital support, advice, breaks and grants for the UK’s six million carers and around one million young carers – some as young as five. Many carers and their families are already struggling to make ends meet, with two-thirds having to give up work or cut back on working hours because of the pressure of their caring role.
Nearly all of the organisations (93%) say the massive increases threaten their sustainability as a charity. Almost a third of them (30%) will be forced to cut back their core services, two-fifths (40%) will have to reduce staff and more than a quarter (28%) expect to support fewer carers.
Carers Trust’s CEO, Kirsty McHugh, said: “For many of the UK’s struggling carers, their local carer organisation is a lifeline. Yet the rise in employer National Insurance Contributions threatens the very existence of these services at a time when many carers are facing cuts in financial support. Without them, many carers tell us they wouldn’t know where to turn for help.
“The social care crisis is forcing millions of people to look after family and friends at home and many carers are at breaking point. Our creaking social care system would collapse if they can’t carry on caring. If central and local government don’t ensure local carer organisations are properly funded the results will be disastrous.”
