NI Hike Could Force Vital Carer Support Centres To Close Carers Trust Warns
The Government’s hike in employer National Insurance contributions will cost Carers Trust’s network of local carer organisations a massive £3.3m and could send some of these vital services to the wall, the charity has warned, at a time when the unpaid carers they serve are facing massive benefit cuts.
The rise, which comes into effect on Sunday (6th April), will force many centres to cut back on their services, slash staff numbers and help fewer carers than before.
Combined with an increase to the living wage, the changes will cost Carers Trust’s UK-wide network of more than 130 local carer organisations £7.5m overall.
Nearly all of the organisations (93%) say the massive increases threaten their sustainability as a charity. Almost a third of them (30%) will be forced to cut back their core services, two-fifths (40%) will have to reduce staff and more than a quarter (28%) expect to support fewer carers.
Local carer organisations provide vital support, advice, breaks and grants for the UK’s six million carers and around one million young carers – some as young as five. Many carers and their families are already struggling to make ends meet, with two-thirds having to give up work or cut back on working hours because of the pressure of their caring role.
Carers Trust’s CEO, Kirsty McHugh, said:
“For many of the UK’s struggling carers, their local carer organisation is a lifeline. Yet the rise in employer National Insurance Contributions threatens the very existence of these services at a time when many carers are facing cuts in financial support. Without them, many carers tell us they wouldn’t know where to turn for help.”
“The social care crisis is forcing millions of people to look after family and friends at home and many carers are at breaking point. Our creaking social care system would collapse if they can’t carry on caring. If central and local government don’t ensure local carer organisations are properly funded the results will be disastrous.”
