YP Comment: Time to reach policy consensus

EVEN though its callousness towards the elderly and social care was one reason why Theresa May's election gamble backfired, not least because the so-called '˜dementia tax' emerged as postal votes were being sent out to pensioners, the Tory party's initial instincts were, in fact, correct '“ this issue will only grow in importance because of Britain's ageing society.

This is borne out by a new survey published to coincide with the advent of Carers Week. Even though unpaid work by UK carers equates to £132bn a year, a sum which is more than double the estimated cost of HS2, eight out of 10 people who have looked after a loved one feel unvalued. With more than 6.5m people currently providing care for an older, disabled or seriously ill loved one, the numbers of unpaid carers is rising faster than the general population and they need far more financial, practical and emotional support than they are receiving at present.

Yet, while the election revealed Britain to be badly divided, this issue transcends society. Without carers, paid or unpaid, the NHS and community care providers would be at breaking point, hence why this is one touchstone issue where all parties should be able to put aside their differences and work on a cross-party basis. Electoral deadlock offers no excuse for not doing so – all politicians need to show that they, too, care about the carers.