SOLIHULL Liberal Democrats are calling on the Government to ‘give carers a break’, by giving local authorities immediate emergency funding so they can provide the support services unpaid carers need to take a weekly break.
More than 24,113 people in Solihull borough are looking after elderly, disabled or vulnerable people during the Covid pandemic.
In a letter to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats said 64 per cent of carers have not been able to take any breaks from their caring role during the pandemic, 74 per cent feel exhausted as a result of caring during Covid, and 44 per cent say they are close to breaking point.
Councillor Ade Adeyemo, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Council Group in Solihull said: “People in Solihull looking after their loved ones are doing a remarkable and important job in very difficult circumstances.
“Solihull’s unpaid carers have taken on dramatically increased responsibilities during this pandemic.
“Most haven’t been able to take a single break since the pandemic started. Most are simply exhausted.
“Liberal Democrats are standing up for carers and calling on the Government to give them a break.”
He added that according to the 2011 census, 24,113 people in Solihull provided unpaid care – although the number is now thought to be much higher.
