I am a live-in carer for my mother, just like tens of thousands of others across the UK. Every day, I assist her with medication, shopping, meals, cleaning, and physical assistance. Despite these full-time responsibilities, I receive a carer's allowance of just £82.40 a week. According to official regulations, this allowance requires at least 34 hours of caring a week, which equates to roughly £2.43 an hour. If you exceed these hours, the pay can dip to as low as 50p an hour.

Unfortunately, my story is not unique but echoes the reality faced by countless unpaid carers who are seemingly undervalued and underpaid. There are approximately 6.5 million unpaid carers in the UK, and the value of the contribution made by carers in the UK is £132 billion a year, as per Carers UK.

Our responsibilities are immense and often include tasks that would otherwise require professional staff. We provide crucial support to vulnerable individuals, often sacrificing our own quality of life. Yet, many of us find ourselves at the mercy of a system that inadequately compensates us for our tireless efforts. It's high time we challenge this systemic inequality and demand fair pay for family caregivers.

Please, sign this petition to call for an increase in family caregiver allowance, raising it to reflect the true value and importance of the role caregivers play within our society. Your signature can make a difference in the lives of millions of carers who selflessly devote themselves to the well-being of their loved ones.