Samuel Kurtz MS has offered their support to a new national campaign aimed at highlighting the inequalities and challenges facing paid and unpaid carers in Wales amid the on-going cost of living crisis.
The Make Care Fair campaign, launched during Carers Week, calls for more recognition of Welsh carers’ efforts, along with substantial new investment in affordable, high-quality childcare and social care to tackle poverty and inequality and improve the overall resilience and wellbeing of Welsh society.
Led by Women’s Equality Network Wales, the coalition campaign is backed by Carers Wales, Chwarae Teg, Oxfam Cymru, Race Council Cymru, and Wales TUC.
Samuel Kurtz MS attended the launch of the campaign at the Senedd and has pledged to do their bit to help Make Care Fair.
Speaking about his support for the campaign, Mr Kurtz said:
“Day-in, day-out, carers across Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire face substantial challenges, without the necessary support to tackle them.
“The Make Care Fair campaign is an important recognition of the efforts of our carers, with a significant call to improve the resources and support available to them.
“Investment in care is absolutely necessary and, at the moment, not extensive enough. It’s critical the Welsh Government step and take the necessary action to support Welsh carers.”
Catherine Fookes, Director of WEN Wales, said:
“Our members tell us consistently that the biggest barrier to women’s equality is lack of affordable, accessible childcare.
“Our Make Care Fair campaign, which calls on Welsh Government to give free childcare for all from six months, is urgently needed to lift women out of poverty.
“Investment in care is also a no-brainer when we are aiming to be carbon zero – the average job in health and care produces 25 times less greenhouse gas emissions than a manufacturing job – so government should invest more in care as a way of reaching their environmental targets.”
"The Make Care Fair campaign highlights the crucial role of care work – both paid and unpaid – in Wales’ society and economy. Yet campaigners say many carers, most of whom are women, face poverty as a direct consequence of caring."
Sarah Rees, Head of Oxfam Cymru, added:
“The crisis in care is inextricably intertwined with the escalating cost of living, forming a vicious cycle that perpetuates poverty.
“The relentless rise in everyday expenses is ruthlessly ravaging household budgets, leaving carers of all kinds across the country – many of whom were already facing poverty – in further financial freefall.
“The plight facing cares across Wales is particularly troubling because without their tireless efforts, our communities and economy would simply grind to a halt.
“The Welsh Government must seize the chance to put things right, by prioritising substantial new investment in affordable, high-quality childcare and social care to alleviate some of the pressure being faced carers across the country. It’s time to stop the freefall, it’s time to Make Care Fair.”
