Almost half a million young people provide unpaid care every week in England and Wales, according to a new report published today.
Delegates to GMB’s young members conference will be told these young carers are an essential part of the ‘glue’ that maintains social solidarity across the generations.GMB national equality and inclusion officer Kamaljeet Jandu said: “This report shows the extent to which we rely upon young people to provide unpaid care, day in and day out. They are an essential part of the ‘glue’ that maintains social solidarity across the generations.
“This cuts across the picture that we have of today’s young people and the extent to which we rely on them. Unfortunately it is this very generation that has borne the brunt of the recession now underway for six years. As well as not being able to find jobs young people have been shafted right, left and centre by the government.
“They were denied education maintenance grants, they faced a tripling of tuition fees, rising house prices and a lack of affordable housing, and where they have been able to find work they face low wages and zero hour contracts.
“This all has an adverse impact on the health, future employment opportunities and social and leisure activities of those young carers providing unpaid care. What a bum deal affluent Britain has offered this generation of young workers.”
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