Scottish Government promises £4 million cash to help unpaid carers
Social care minister Kevin Stewart announced the funds as he highlighted their vital role.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A £4 million support package to help Scotland’s “essential” unpaid carers has been unveiled by the Government.
The funding was announced as social care minister, Kevin Stewart, highlighted the “vital role” of unpaid carers, who look after relatives and loved ones.
However, with the coronavirus pandemic resulting in “many additional pressures” for this group, the Scottish Government pledged cash to help the organisations and services that support them.
The bulk of the cash will go to local carers centres across Scotland, with £3 million being set aside to help them expand their work.
Unpaid carers play a vital role in society and I know the pandemic has placed many additional pressures on Scotland’s carers
As well as this, £590,000 will go to expand services and support for unpaid carers looking after someone with dementia, while £377,000 will go towards paying for breaks for parents and families looking after disabled children and young people.
Meanwhile, £200,000 will go towards expanding the support given to young carers by the Young Scot organisation.
Mr Stewart said: “Unpaid carers play a vital role in society and I know the pandemic has placed many additional pressures on Scotland’s carers.
“The Scottish Government has always been committed to improving carers’ rights and providing them with the support and extra help they deserve.
“The local services and third sector organisations that have been supporting carers during the pandemic have been exceptional. I am pleased to be able to announce this additional funding to allow them to continue their essential work.”
He added: “This support for carers comes on top of the Carer’s Allowance Supplement, the first payment made by Social Security Scotland, which increased Carer’s Allowance for eligible Scottish carers by around 13% compared to carers in the rest of the UK.
“In addition to this uplift to Carer’s Allowance, we made extra Coronavirus Carer’s Allowance Supplement payments in June 2020 and in December 2021 to support eligible carers.”