Surbiton MP Ed Davey has secured a parliamentary debate to highlight the role played by unpaid carers. He will be raising the issues of support for carers and Carers’ Week 2021 tomorrow afternoon (Thursday).

Last year, Carers UK published a report for Carers’ Week which estimated an additional 4.5 million people had taken on caring responsibilities during the coronavirus pandemic. The report that found 72% of carers have not had any breaks from their caring role at all over the past year, and highlighted that three-quarters of carers had reported being exhausted as a result of caring during the pandemic. More than a third said they felt unable to manage their unpaid caring role.

Sir Ed wants the government to support unpaid carers, with the Lib Dems calling for a £1,000 a year increase to the carers’ allowance, and a weekly break for unpaid carers.

“I’m delighted to have secured this debate, which will help give carers a voice in Parliament,” said the Lib Dem leader. “Time and again, whether it’s the money or the vaccine priorities, the government continues to ignore our wonderful carers, and it’s just not acceptable – we must do far more to support them.”