Carers admit despair due to pressures

MORE than a third of carers claim their financial situation is so dire they do not want to wake up in the morning, new research has found.

About six out of ten carers said they gave up paid work to look after a sick or disabled relative, while more than half of those who still work earn less than 10,000 a year.

Six out of ten carers said they spent all their savings supporting the person they care for, according to the Princess Royal Trust for Carers.

Nearly two-thirds, meanwhile, borrowed money from family and friends to meet their day-to-day living costs, while 10 per cent took out high interest loans.

Carole Cochrane, chief executive at the Princess Royal Trust for Carers, said: "The coalition government has an opportunity to improve the lives of millions of carers.

"As part of welfare reform they must ensure greater financial support for carers, and the Comprehensive Spending Review must deliver the improved community support for carers to combine work and care, as pledged by government in June.

"Six million carers will judge the government by its decisions in the next two months."