A CARERS charity has been met with outrage after it announced Jeremy Vine is set to host its awards.
Earlier this week, Carers UK announced it was “delighted” that the broadcaster would be leading the event which seeks to “shine a spotlight” on the contribution of unpaid carers.
However, the post on X/Twitter was met with a furious response, with some suggesting Vine should be replaced as he “attacks disabled people for clicks”.
On Monday, Carers UK announced Vine as its host of the 2026 awards ceremony.
The post on X, which was viewed more than 69,000 times, was met with fury from social media users.
Mike O’Brien, a campaigner for unpaid carers, said: “@CarersUK I would like to publicly express my disgust and disappointment at your entire organisation, an organisation that exists to represent unpaid carers across the UK.
“You have chosen to stab us all in the back by choosing Jeremy Vine to host this years Carer UK awards. This man has made clear his hate for disabled people, the vulnerable and unpaid carers, yet you chose him to host the awards ceremony. I sincerely hope you see the error of your ways and the anger you have caused within the unpaid carer community and change your minds about this awful decision.”
One wrote: “Are you serious? This either [a] bad joke (in very poor taste) or you are completely clueless of the damage this man’s broadcasting has done to carers and the disabled.”
We’re delighted to announce that @theJeremyVine will host The Carers UK Awards 2026! Judging is underway, and we’ll be announcing this year’s finalists in the coming weeks. Stay tuned! #CarersUKAwards2026 pic.twitter.com/LMjWjwQPQo
— Carers UK (@CarersUK) August 17, 2026
Another said: "I'm disgusted by hearing this, what a terrible decision by @CarersUK! Very insulting to carers, the disabled/sick. Feel angry on behalf of you all.”
Harry Eccles added: “Appalling choice, he spends his days attacking disabled people for clicks.”
In response, Carers UK released a statement on X on Thursday which read: “We've seen the response to the announcement of Jeremy Vine as host of this year's Carers UK Awards and want to address it directly.
“We recognise the strength of feeling around how disability & benefits claimants are sometimes portrayed in the media, inc on daytime television. Many of the carers we support are disabled themselves/care for someone who is and rely on a benefits system that too often fails them.
“That's exactly why we've campaigned consistently for reform of the benefits system, including through our #ProtectCarersBenefits campaign.”
The charity then spoke about its leadership of the Carer Poverty Allowance, calling on the UK Government to raise carer-related means-tested benefits and review Carers Allowance.
“We won't stop pushing for a system that treats carers and disabled people fairly – and will keep making the case for change,” the charity added.
However, social media users then criticised the charity for not addressing their concerns around Vine being chosen as a host. Carers UK also limited who could comment on the post.
Lucy Easthope wrote: “Nowhere in this response do you address it. Crisis Comms failure 101. I am seeing real anger on my feed today.”
We've seen the response to the announcement of Jeremy Vine as host of this year's Carers UK Awards and want to address it directly.
— Carers UK (@CarersUK) August 20, 2026
Another added: “Tone deaf, literally doesn't even mention the host or his programme. Doesn't address anything carers have said about their chosen host. More blowing their own trumpet as usual from @CarersUK then preventing carers from replying. Poor comms.”
One said: “When a charity turns off replies and literally fails to 'address it directly', questions must be asked about the charity's management and whether they are competent.”
Earlier this week, on August 16, Vine’s programme on Channel 5 ran a segment in response to Reform UK’s policy announcements on benefits, titled: “Reform right to call for cuts to disability benefits?”
Another Facebook video from August 18 had the caption: “Should benefits claimants clean the high street?”
Vine has been approached for comment.
