Rochdale carers saving more than £300m a year

New figures just published show an increase in the value of unpaid care across the Rochdale Borough Council area.

The 21,500 local carers are saving the state £331.6 million per year.  

Nationally, the value of unpaid support that carers provide has now reached £87bn a year - more than the annual total spend on the NHS, which was £82bn in 2006-7.

The new figures, calculated by the University of Leeds for Carers UK, are 52% higher than previous estimates of how much carers save the government. The average carer is now saving the nation more than £15,000 a year.

Secretary of the Carers' Association in Rochdale, Middleton, Heywood amp; Pennines, Eddie Coan, said: "One of our aims is to help carers support one another over a particularly bad patch. Money considerations don't come into this, but the money implications are well worth noting.

"If, for example, a tiny proportion of the borough's carers kept on looking after a family member for one more year then the saving to local residents would be £150,000. Unpaid local carers are a valuable asset to our communities and we thank them for their hard work."

Imelda Redmond, Chief Executive of Carers UK added: "It is ironic, given the billions they contribute to the economy, that so many carers are forced into poverty and a low quality of life. Every year, one in five carers gives up work to care. By 2034, an extra 3.4 million people could be caring, at a time when the economy needs more skilled workers."

The rise in the value of carers' support can be put down to three factors:

1. The number of carers providing "significant" care has risen, owing to health and social care failing to keep pace with demand.

2. Although more hours of care are being provided in the community, it is being provided to fewer people because they have increasingly complex needs. This leaves carers making up much of the shortfall.

3. The cost of replacement care has gone up, in line with other wages.  

Are you a carer?  Do you look after someone?  A relative or child, partner or friend who needs your help because they are ill, frail or have a disability?  Then you are a carer.

Rochdale Borough Council's Carers Resource provides a service to support unpaid carers and can offer things like advice, emotional support, free training courses, and help with community language needs.

For further information:

Email: thecarersresource@rochdale.gov.uk

Tel: 01706 925808

Visit: The Carers Resource, 2nd floor Waterside House, 7 Water Street, Rochdale OL16 1TL.