John Hannett – Usdaw General Secretary says: “Every day 6,000 people become carers, looking after a loved one who is older, disabled or ill. Over half of all carers have to combine caring with going out to work.
“The contribution made by carers in the UK is worth £132 billion a year, which amounts to one-fifth of UK Government spending. Yet the support available to carers has been drastically cut back, with many services that they and their families rely on at breaking point. As the population ages and people live longer, carers are doing more and more, yet getting less and less support. Usdaw wants carers to get the support they need.
“We are using our annual campaign spotlight day to reach out to members who are juggling their jobs with looking after someone. The union understands the pressures they are under and our reps can help with support on workplace issues and signposting to other appropriate support organisations where caring is causing problems that go beyond the workplace.
“Campaign days like these are important to let working carers know that support is out there, they don’t have to face problems alone and to create awareness of rights amongst the wider workforce and population.”
Notes for editors:
Usdaw (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is the UK's fourth biggest and the fastest growing trade union with over 433,000 members. Membership has increased by more than 17% in the last five years and by nearly a third in the last decade. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the Union also has many members in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemicals and other trades.
Supporting Parents and Carers Campaign:
http://www.usdaw.org.uk/Campaigns/Supporting-Parents-Carers
For Usdaw press releases visit: www.usdaw.org.uk/news and you can follow us on Twitter
@UsdawUnion