This morning, Alison Bennett, Member of Parliament for Mid Sussex and Lib Dem spokesperson for Care and Carers, and Helen Morgan MP, Member of Parliament for North Shropshire and Lib Dem spokesperson for Health and Social Care, met with a group of unpaid carers to hear more about their recent experiences of caring and the challenges they are currently facing.
Organised by Carers UK and the seven charities supporting Carers Week 2025, the carers attending spoke to the MPs about a range of topics relating to their caring role, including the financial challenges they face because of caring, the difficulties they have accessing breaks and respite support, the impact that caring has on their own health and personal wellbeing, and what they would like to change to be better identified, recognised and supported with their caring responsibilities.
Reflecting on the meeting, Alison Bennett MP said:
“Being a carer places extraordinary pressure on millions of people. This virtual event shone a vital light on just a few people’s experiences of looking after their loved ones. I’m so thankful to the carers who made the time in their busy lives to share their stories. It is so clear to me that carers do so much, but don’t get the fair deal that they deserve. The Liberal Democrats are determined to ensure that the government starts to deliver the support that carers need.”
Helen Morgan MP said:
“It was both inspiring and frustrating to meet these unpaid carers. Inspiring because they are the unsung heroes of social care, and frustrating because it is clear how much more support they need.
“Unpaid carers have been taken for granted for far too long and I was pleased to hear the carers’ suggestions for what needs to change so that they can be properly recognised and supported.”