We often hear in the news about different professions going on strike because they feel they are not paid enough.
I understand their frustration, but I want to speak for those of us who never have that option — unpaid carers.
I am the full-time carer for my lovely mum, who needs round-the-clock support, seven days a week.
It is my privilege to care for her, but it comes at a cost. Carer’s Allowance is £83.30 a week, and you can only claim it if you earn under £196 a week after tax.
Even if I earned the maximum and received the allowance, I would take home only about £279 a week — just over £14,500 a year.
That equates to less than £2 an hour when you consider the reality of caring 24 hours a day.
I am lucky, as a psychotherapist, to be able to work remotely at odd hours when my mum is asleep.
Many carers don’t have this chance, and are left with even fewer options. For all of us, there are no weekends, no holidays and no strike action available.
Campaign groups have highlighted this injustice for years, yet little has changed. It’s time for more than warm words — families like mine need action.
Would you work for less than £2 an hour?