Hard hitting reality check as charity warns unpaid carers cannot be ignored
Nicola Sturgeon must place the nation’s carers at the heart of her pandemic recovery plan or risk betraying them, Oxfam Scotland has warned.
In a letter sent to the first minister, the anti-poverty charity says the recent report produced by the Scottish Government’s Advisory Group on Economic Recovery has a “glaring weakness” when it comes to recognising the under-valued role of carers play in Scotland.
The report calls for reform of adult social care to be accelerated, including a review of the sector’s funding and the quality of work it offers, while also appearing to recognise the disproportionate impact of the coronavirus crisis on women who provide most care.
However, its recommendations fall far short of what is required. For example, it acknowledges unpaid care work but suggests no measures to better value it.
The letter comes as Oxfam Scotland publishes a new briefing to help plug the gap. It lays out 10 steps ministers can take to place people with caring responsibilities at the heart of a just, caring and green recovery while protecting them from poverty.
Jamie Livingstone, head of Oxfam Scotland, said: “During the height of the pandemic, the First Minister joined the people of Scotland in clapping loudly for the nation’s carers; rightly recognising them as the glue holding our country together.
“As she now prepares her response to the Advisory Group’s recommendations, Nicola Sturgeon faces an historic choice: place carers at the heart of Scotland’s recovery or betray them by leaving far too many living in poverty.
“For far too long carers, most of whom are women, have been taken for granted despite their critical contribution. As Scotland seeks to recover, we cannot miss this moment for change. We must protect carers from the injustice of poverty, now and in the future.
“The Scottish Government must implement the urgent, concrete steps needed to value and invest in care not only because it is the right thing to do, but because care, in all its forms, underpins our society, and our economy.
“There can be no national renewal if carers are, once again, left behind. A just and green recovery from covid must be a caring one too. The solidarity people have shown with carers and other key workers during the coronavirus crisis cannot become a footnote of history; it must be a catalyst for change.”
Oxfam said without bold action to fully value and invest in care work, both paid and unpaid, it will be impossible for the Scottish Government to tackle poverty and a key opportunity to invest in a low-carbon, gender-just solution to job creation and green economic recovery will be missed.
Lynn Williams, a prominent campaigner for unpaid carers, said the repercussions of failing to support those caring for loved ones are far reaching.
“Some may get back to whatever normal looks like – for others the shadow of covid-19 will be hanging over their heads for a long time.
“That may be through continued isolation or it may be through deeper poverty or poorer physical and mental health.”
