UP to 25,000 people in the whole of Ealing look after elderly or vulnerable relatives and neighbours and many do not get paid a single penny for their work.

They do this for the love of their friends and relatives.

According to Carers UK, 64% of helpers have had no breaks from their caring role during the pandemic.

74% feel exhausted and worn out and most worryingly, 44% say they are at breaking point.

Carers UK also found that 81% of unpaid voluntary helpers are spending more time on their caring responsibilities for loved ones during the pandemic, either because of increased needs or the closure or reduction of support services because of lockdown restrictions.

Liberal Democrats locally and nationally are worried about the lack of support from the government.

Liberal Democrat Leader, Ed Davey, recently revealed that he has twice written to Boris Johnson offering to discuss possible solutions, but has yet to receive a response.

Ed Davey, who himself is a carer for his severely disabled son, has rightly criticised the government of failing to understand the extent of the social care crisis in the UK.

It is breathtakingly awful that the government thinks a 5p increase of carer's allowance is sufficient.

The 5p a day increase of Carer's Allowance is in his words, a total insult to those caring for loved ones during the pandemic.

Liberal Democrats had to fight hard for the government's Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JVCI) to include unpaid carers as part of the priority group for receiving COVID vaccines.

It is clear carers were forgotten about by decision makers.

Yet research from Carers UK revealed unpaid carers are saving the government £530 million every day in the care they provide.

They should be valued just as much as NHS doctors and nurses.

People looking after their loved ones during COVID are doing a remarkable and important job in very difficult circumstances.

Unpaid carers have taken on dramatically increased caring responsibilities in the past year.

Most haven't been able to take a single break since the pandemic started.

Most are simply exhausted.

Our wonderful carers deserve more support - including additional respite care.

They have too often been taken for granted by those in power.

The current Tory government must not ignore this crisis any longer.

Liberal Democrats believe compassion must be the framework of building a caring society.

It needs to provide immediate funding of £1.2billion for support services to allow a weekly break for every unpaid carer looking after loved ones at home.

Liberal Democrats will always be the party that stands up and fights for carers and those who are vulnerable in our society.

It is time to work together to give carers a break and build a more caring society as we emerge from this pandemic.

Liberal Democrats have set up a petition so people can show their support of carers.

You can add your name HERE.