Carers dealing with ‘cruel and indifferent state’, says tearful Labour peer

A former trade union leader struggled to hold back tears in Parliament as she gave a moving speech on the plight of carers dealing with “a cruel and indifferent state”.

Baroness Donaghy’s voice cracked with emotion as she recounted her own experience of looking after loved ones over more than two decades.

Highlighting the “exhaustion and stress” of the unpaid role, the Labour peer (pictured) expressed her deep sorrow for those, who unlike her, were additionally forced to go “begging” for financial help.

Warning against more promises to “fix” social care and further inquiries into the long-standing problem, the former TUC president and leader of the National and Local Government Officers Association, stressed solutions would require money, including adequate funding for local government and decent pay for staff.

In response to her heartfelt words during a debate on adult social care in the House of Lords, a number of peers said they wanted to “give her a virtual hug”.

After taking her seat, Lady Donaghy, visibly upset, could be seen dabbing her eyes with a tissue.

A recent review of the health service by former Labour health minister Lord Darzi described the state of social care as “dire” and noted the impact the under-resourced sector had on the NHS.

Following the publication of the independent crossbencher’s report, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced the Government was drawing up a “10-year plan” for healthcare reform.

However, Health Secretary Wes Streeting has indicated an overhaul of the social care system – and the crucial issue of how to pay for it – would have to wait until the second term of a Labour government.

Speaking at Westminster, Lady Donaghy said: “Adult social care has been a matter of national shame.

“I think there are reasons to be cheerful. If the Government is preparing a 10-year plan at least that is practical and, let’s face it, realistic.”

She added: “Please, no more promises to fix social care once and for all. We know what happens to those promises.

“Please, no more talk of royal commissions, we know the issues. Solutions require money. Money for local government, for the workforce and for family support.

“When a politician stops talking about money and talks about reorganisation and reconfiguration you know nothing is going to happen.”

Lady Donaghy told peers: “I have been an unpaid carer on and off for 24 years, for my mother, my husband and my brother.”

Her voice wavering with emotion and holding back tears, she said: “I am glad I did not have to go begging to a cruel and indifferent state for financial support during this time and I am deeply sorry for anyone who is forced to do so.

“The exhaustion and stress is bad enough. Add poverty to that and it is no wonder why so many people have been forced out of the labour market and why we have so many skills gaps.”

Lady Donaghy added: “Let’s not kid ourselves. Adequate funding for local authorities, better care homes and decent pay for the workforce will all cost money. The question is where that money will come from.”

Urging action, she said: “If the Government do nothing else they need to fund local government adequately and pay social workers in social care adequately.”

Responding to the debate, health and social care minister Baroness Merron said: “We are committed to ensuring that families do have the support that they need.

“We will be collaborating with our counterparts across Government, with unpaid carers and sector partners to make sure that unpaid carers are visible – not rubbed out… and that they are also supported.”

Addressing Lady Donaghy, she said: “Can I add a virtual hug as well?”

Lady Merron pointed out the Government’s plans for workers’ rights would also help employees providing unpaid care while a review would be carried out of support for carers.

In addition, the Government would work closely with local authorities which it recognised were “facing significant challenges in funding adult social care”, she said.

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