The Economy, Culture and Skills Committee met on Monday 12 January 2026 to discuss the challenges faced by unpaid carers in London. The committee heard from representatives of Barnet Carers, Enfield Carers Centre, and Bromley Well, who detailed the difficulties carers encounter, including financial strain, lack of awareness of entitlements, and the impact on their wellbeing. The committee also discussed potential solutions and what more could be done by the Mayor of London and central government to support unpaid carers.

Support for Unpaid Carers and Local Authority Partnerships

Representatives from Barnet Carers, Enfield Carers Centre, and Bromley Well detailed how their organisations work with local councils to support unpaid carers. Mike Rich, CEO of Barnet Carers, highlighted a partnership approach in Barnet, involving joint contracts for adult and young carers and a Carers Strategy developed collaboratively. He chairs an Engagement Board with carers' representation and local authority and voluntary sector organisations.

Carla Brain, Young Carers Project Manager at Enfield Carers Centre, noted that their young carers project is not funded by the local authority, relying instead on National Lottery funding. She mentioned that while their adult services have a nine-year contract, the funding has not increased, making it difficult to expand services amidst rising costs. Enfield Carers Centre actively participates in borough-wide partnerships.

David Walker, CEO of Bromley Well and Bromley Third Sector Enterprise, explained that Bromley Well is jointly commissioned by the local authority and the Integrated Care Board (ICB). He emphasised their role in providing a one-stop shop for advice, guidance, income maximisation, and various support services that directly impact carers. Walker also highlighted their involvement in co-designing Bromley's Carers Plan and developing an all-agency, all-age Carers Charter. He stressed the importance of the voluntary sector's frontline engagement and its role in preventing individuals from entering the social care or health system.

Misinformation on Council Websites Regarding Carer Support

A recent investigation by Martin Lewis CBE, a financial journalist, highlighted issues with incorrect information on council websites concerning council tax discounts for carers. Barnet, Bromley, Camden, Haringey, Hounslow, Merton, and Waltham Forest were cited as councils with such issues.

Mike Rich of Barnet Carers stated this was the first he had heard of the specific report but acknowledged the general problem of financial strain on carers and the lack of clarity surrounding entitlements like council tax discounts and Blue Badges. He described some council websites as pretty opaque and difficult for even professionals to navigate, let alone unpaid carers with limited digital access. He hoped the investigation would lead to clearer information from councils.

David Walker from Bromley Well echoed these concerns, noting that while Bromley Well focuses on income maximisation and provides clear information, challenges arise when other council departments change criteria, leading to information lags. He also pointed out that even professionals sometimes receive incorrect information. Carla Brain from Enfield Carers Centre added that benefit changes are frequent and difficult for professionals to track, and that their benefits advisor offers form-filling support due to high demand and the confusing nature of the information.

Challenges Facing Carer Organisations and the Care Sector

David Walker identified structural changes in health and social care, such as the move to neighbourhoods, and changes within local authorities as significant challenges. He also highlighted funding and support issues, stressing the importance of advocating for the voluntary sector's crucial role. Capacity is a major concern, exacerbated by changes like National Insurance contributions and the London Living Wage, which, while valuable, increase operational costs. Walker noted that the complexity of needs has increased since the COVID-19 pandemic. He also pointed out the geographical diversity of Outer London boroughs, making access to appointments and support more challenging and expensive due to transport issues. A key challenge for many carers is simply knowing where to find the right information, with many not realising they are a carer and entitled to support.

Carla Brain focused on the challenges for young carers, emphasizing the critical need for increased awareness. She noted that despite the pandemic highlighting their role, many young carers remain hidden and unidentified, making it difficult to secure necessary support and funding. Brain cited statistics indicating that one in five children and young people may be a young carer, but school census data is inaccurate. She highlighted that 46% of young carers aged five to seven get up through the night to care for loved ones, and that young carers often provide significant emotional support. The lack of commissioned young carers services in Enfield means their current support, funded by the National Lottery, is at risk when funding ends. Transport is a major issue, contributing to social isolation and missed extracurricular activities. The impact on education is significant, with lower rates of achieving expected standards in reading, writing, and maths, and fewer GCSE passes.

Mike Rich described the challenges for Barnet Carers as multiple. He reported a 50% increase in referrals from schools following their Think Young Carer campaign, identifying 530 new young carers in 2025. However, he noted the ongoing challenge of supporting schools with the new school census question. The primary challenges remain increasing demand coupled with reduced resources. National Insurance changes alone added £60,000 to their payroll. He observed that Barnet is an ageing borough, leading to more complex needs, including mild to moderate mental health challenges among carers. Rich also noted a trend of carers preferring face-to-face interaction over digital platforms, increasing the demand for staff time. The cost of employing local staff is also a factor, sometimes leading to remote recruitment. He highlighted that many carers are providing 50+ hours of care weekly, facing financial, physical, and wellbeing struggles.

Mutual Carers and the Need for Identification

David Walker discussed the specific needs of mutual carers, where individuals in a relationship, often older, care for each other. Bromley Well has identified around 70 such carers, representing about 5% of their caseload. These carers often face intense needs, including fear of bereavement and the need for resilience. Walker highlighted the importance of practical support, lifestyle advice, and financial security. A significant concern is what happens if one carer in a mutual relationship becomes ill. He advocated for carers' emergency plans to be integrated into the Universal Care Record to ensure continuity of care during crises.

Peer-to-Peer Support

Mike Rich stressed the essential role of peer-to-peer support, stating that nobody understands like another carer. He noted that sustaining these groups requires ongoing support, often from local authorities or organisations like Barnet Carers. They offer various activities, including coffee mornings, online sessions, and walking groups, which provide a vital outlet for carers. He also mentioned the use of WhatsApp groups for quick questions and sharing experiences.

David Walker echoed this, highlighting that peer support groups are highly valued, particularly by those caring for individuals with mental health issues. Bromley Well has developed a young carers app with a curated chat and online book group, alongside outreach activities and a youth club.

Carla Brain emphasised that peer support makes young carers feel less alone. She noted that activities organised by Enfield Carers Centre, such as those with Create Charity, allow young people to be creative and build friendships without necessarily focusing on the young carer label. These activities significantly boost confidence and provide a crucial space for them to connect with others who understand their experiences.

Home Care Provision and Financial Burdens

Carla Brain described the challenges in providing home care, including staff retention and training due to the flexible and often unpredictable nature of the work. Complex needs of those being cared for and delays in installing necessary equipment can place immense pressure on unpaid carers.

Mike Rich explained that home care for informal carers is often privately funded, making cost a significant barrier. He stated that an hour of home care costs around £28, which quickly adds up. Many carers cannot access local authority support due to financial thresholds but still require home care, leading to difficult choices about affordability. He also noted that some carers find it psychologically difficult to hand over care responsibilities to others, even when respite is available.

Carla Brain added that while Enfield Carers Centre offers free respite care, the high cost of home care deters many unpaid carers. They often feel guilty about the expense for their loved ones and step in themselves, foregoing much-needed respite. She also mentioned instances where carers receive unexpected bills for care they believed was funded.

Carers' Assessments and Consistency of Support

Mike Rich stated that Barnet Carers offers carer needs assessments with delegated authority from Barnet Council. They conduct 500-600 assessments annually, offering them via telephone, online, or in person, with home visits as a rare option. He noted that nearly 50% of assessments are now done online. Barnet has no waiting time for assessments, and their forms can be translated into 60 languages. Rich mentioned that they add extra questions to assessments to create more holistic support plans, and are now posting these plans due to some carers' preference for hard copies.

Carla Brain observed that carer assessments vary significantly across boroughs. She highlighted that while the Care Act 2014 mandates young carer assessments, there is no guarantee of subsequent support, and some local authorities merely signpost to generic children's services, which she considers a disservice. She stressed the need for tailored support plans for young carers. Brain also noted that some carers are concerned about their personal data being held by local authorities, which can deter them from having assessments.

David Walker added that in Bromley, many individuals do not meet statutory requirements for support. He noted that carers often get advice from GPs rather than local authorities or carers' services. He also highlighted the challenge of ensuring consistency across boroughs due to their diverse populations and needs.

Impact of Funding Reductions and Calls for Further Support

Carla Brain stated that reductions in local authority funding create gaps in services that the voluntary and community sector (VCS) tries to fill, while operating with tighter budgets. She called for increased investment in young carers in Enfield.

Mike Rich, while fortunate with his current contract in Barnet, expressed concern about future contract tenders potentially offering less funding. He noted that funding for carers' services is being squeezed across the board, impacting their ability to run successful programmes like the Young Carer's Mentoring and Tuition Programmes, which are now seeking alternative funding. He predicted more cooperation or merging of organisations in the sector.

David Walker also acknowledged the general squeeze on funding but noted that Bromley Well has a longer-term contract. He highlighted ongoing cost pressures from NI changes and the need to recruit and retain staff, alongside increasing demand and complexity of needs. He stressed that while grants provide additional support, they are increasingly competitive. Walker emphasised that voluntary sector services are vital for achieving health outcomes and supporting personalised care, and that these services require adequate funding.

What More Can Be Done by the Mayor and Central Government?

Mike Rich suggested that the Mayor of London and the Assembly could significantly support carers through initiatives focused on identification. He highlighted the gap between becoming a carer and recognising oneself as one, which can take up to two years. A London-wide campaign to encourage self-identification and engagement with local carers' organisations would be beneficial. He cited a multi-borough health project as an example of how a carer could register their need and be directed to the appropriate local service.

Carla Brain echoed the call for increased awareness and a London-wide Carers' Campaign. She suggested visible campaigns on public transport and in public spaces to help identify hidden carers. Brain also advocated for more joined-up working between local authorities and health services to avoid duplication, and for flexible, carer-friendly employment support. She proposed accredited training to address CV gaps and a carer health passport to avoid repeated explanations of their situation. Targeted support for diverse communities, where caring is sometimes viewed as a private family matter, was also recommended. Brain also wished for extended free transport for young carers, citing the significant costs and complications faced by families, particularly when housing issues lead to relocation.

David Walker reinforced the importance of a unified Carers Charter and making all agencies carer-aware. He suggested that the GLA and Mayor could encourage boroughs to adopt such measures. He also recommended identifying Carers' Champions within organisations to advocate for carers' needs when developing new initiatives. Walker highlighted the success of NHS pathways encouraging identification at hospital discharge and reiterated that under-identification of carers is a major issue across London.

The committee noted the report and discussion, delegating authority to the Chair to agree any output arising from the discussion. The committee also noted its work programme.