Crisis in social care costs Britain over £5bn a year
Crisis will get worse, charities warn
Wednesday 26 September 2012
Britain’s fragile economy is losing more than £5bn a year as a result of a growing crisis in social care funding aggravated by the Government’s austerity measures.
People are giving up an estimated £4bn in pay – cash that would have been channelled back into the economy – because they are being forced to leave work to care for elderly or disabled relatives. The Treasury is also missing out on £1bn of taxes they would otherwise have paid, while carers are claiming some £300m in benefits to help cover their living costs.
The “missing” £5.3bn is equivalent to more than 0.3 per cent of Britain’s gross domestic product, charities warned last night. More than 300,000 people quit work in 2010-11 to look after relatives – and the number is increasing because of continuing cuts to care budgets, they said.
The extent of the losses to the economy was disclosed in a report from Age UK and Carers UK, building on work by the London School of Economics. They said the problem would worsen unless ministers reversed cuts to town hall budgets that were affecting services, and finally acted to settle the long-term funding of social care.
Free courses for carers available
CARERS are being offered the chance to join courses to help them deal with emergencies at home and keeping their loved ones safe around the house.
Gloucestershire County Council is offering two free courses.
Carers can book themselves on and don’t need to be referred by a social worker.
Gloucester’s sessions take place at Messenger House. On December 10 from 10am until 1pm there will be a coping with emergencies session, while on December 12 at the same time there will be a session about helping people move safely.
Councillor Andrew Gravells, cabinet member for health, said: “Carers are our unsung heroes. These new courses should help them to deal with some of their biggest concerns.”
To book a place call 01452 500885 or 426254.
http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk/
New charter to provide additional support to carers across Aberdeenshire
Local authority agrees to withdraw charges to carers for community respite.
A charter which aims to provide additional support to carers across Aberdeenshire has been endorsed by local councillors.
Aberdeenshire Council’s Social Work and Housing Committee agreed to withdraw charges to carers for community respite, as well as respite provided by dementia support workers and direct carer services at a recent meeting.
