Carers Trust Scotland Launches Report, Covid-19 in Scotland: The Impact on Unpaid Carers and Carer Service Support Workers

That the Parliament welcomes the launch of the Carers Trust report, Covid-19 in Scotland: The impact on unpaid carers and carer service support workers, and comes together to recognise the impact of the pandemic on unpaid carers, young carers, and the carer service workers that support them; welcomes the research launch event on 14 July; values the significant and vital contribution of unpaid carers of all ages, and of carers service support workers, and considers that the challenges faced by unpaid carers during this time impacts upon those supporting them; notes that 90% of unpaid carers that responded to the study were spending more time caring than previously and recognises that 76% of the carer support workers that participated in the research have an increased workload as result of the pandemic; acknowledges that the Carers Trust Scotland makes recommendations and suggestions to support unpaid carers by strengthening provision for carer services; understands that there will be long-term consequences for unpaid carers and carer support workers as a result of the pandemic, including the impact on their mental health and the lack of opportunities for respite; values that the support that unpaid carers provide is worth more than £43 million to the economy every day, and that carer services are vital in supporting unpaid carers, and considers that every effort should be made to support the implementation of the report recommendations and suggestions, and to continue to support unpaid carers and carer service workers as they move out of the crisis phase of the pandemic.