Alliance MLA for North Antrim Sian Mulholland
A new report commissioned by Carers NI, Making the case for change: supporting unpaid carers in Northern Ireland underscores the vital role carers play in our community of North Antrim and beyond, while highlighting the alarming increase in poverty and poor health that many carers endure.
Welcoming the report, Alliance MLA for North Antrim and Alliance’s benefits spokesperson, Sian Mulholland, expressed her commitment to improving support for unpaid carers, including reforms to Carer’s Allowance and increased access to flexible working and paid carers’ leave.
Mulholland, who spoke at the report’s launch in the Tullyglass Hotel on 7th November, stated:
“This report is a vital and sometimes difficult read, clearly demonstrating both the economic value and the daily struggles of unpaid carers across Northern Ireland, including here in North Antrim. Many carers are themselves living with health conditions or disabilities and sacrifice so much in this invaluable yet undervalued role.
“We know the current structure of Carer’s Allowance, particularly its cliff-edge earnings threshold, is a barrier to employment and contributes to carer poverty. Although the UK Government’s recent decision to raise the earnings threshold was welcome, we need a broader look at carer benefits to ensure all carers get the financial support they need.”
The Carers NI report projects that introducing a statutory right to paid carers’ leave and flexible working could generate between £103-198 million in additional tax receipts annually while potentially reducing benefit expenditure by £40-86 million each year.
Mulholland concluded:
“With such strong evidence in favour of these changes, it’s time for both the Minister for Economy and the Minister for Communities to prioritise the needs of carers. Along with my Alliance colleagues, I will continue to push for the essential supports our carers deserve.”
With the urgent findings highlighted in this report, the Alliance Party stands firmly with North Antrim’s unpaid carers and remains dedicated to advocating for the changes they need and deserve.