This Carers Week, the Lib Dems and I are calling on the Government to provide emergency funding to give carers a break from dramatically increased caring responsibilities during the coronavirus pandemic.

More than 108,400 people in Surrey are looking after elderly, disabled or vulnerable people.  Data from Carers UK shows 64% of carers have not been able to take any sort of a break during the pandemic.

The call from the Lib Dems to give local authorities like Surrey County Council immediate emergency funding so they can provide the support services unpaid carers need to take a weekly break, comes during Carers Week, an annual campaign to recognise the contribution of unpaid carers across the UK.

I think this pandemic has shown that we are a nation of carers, but people looking after their loved ones are still too often forgotten and ignored by people in power.  The Government must finally recognise the enormous contribution that unpaid carers make and give them the support they deserve. 

The Lib Dems are standing up for carers and working to build a more caring society as we emerge from this pandemic.  I know so many people in Surrey who are looking after their loved ones are doing a remarkable and important job in very difficult circumstances. 

Surrey’s unpaid carers have taken on dramatically increased caring responsibilities during this pandemic.  Most have not been able to take a single break since the pandemic started – most are simply exhausted.  That is why this Carers Week, the Lib Dems and I are campaigning for our wonderful carers in Surrey to be given a break.